Local body polls: UDF completes seat-sharing in Kozhikode Corporation

Appearing resolute in its mission to overturn the four-decade-long, uninterrupted electoral dominance of the Left parties, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has expeditiously concluded its critical exercise of seat-sharing for the 76 divisions, including the newly demarcated ward of the Kozhikode Corporation council elections.

As such, the Congress will contest 49 seats, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), 25, and its junior coalition partner, the Communist Marxist Party (CMP), will contest the remaining two seats.

The agreement comes even before the State Election Commission has announced the dates of the civic body polls, and while the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) is still deliberating on its seat-sharing pact. The fact that the Congress-IUML combine has come out of the blocks first is seen as portraying a strong picture of internal unity within the coalition.

The Congress seats include Elathur, Eranhikkal, Mokavoor, Kunduparamba, Karuvisseri, Malapparamba, Thadambattuthazham, Vengeri, Paroppadi, Civil Station, Chevarambalam, Vellimadukunnu, Chelavoor, Medical College, Medical College South, Chevayur, Nellikode, Kudilthodu, Kottooli, Parayancheri, Puthiyara, Kuthiravattom, Pottammal, Kuttiyilthazham, Methottuthazham, Mankavu, Azhchavattam, Kallai, Meenchanda, Areekkad North, Cheruvannur East, Cheruvannur West, Beypore Port, Marad, Naduvattam East, Chakkumkadavu, Palayam, Mavoor Road, Thiruthiyad, Eranhipalam, Nadakkavu, Thoppayil, Chakkorathukulam, Karaparamba, East Hill, Athanikkal, West Hill, Edakkad and Puthiyappa.

The IUML seats are Chettikulam, Puthoor, Poolakkadavu, Moozhikkal, Mayanad, Kovoor, Kommeri, Pokkunnu, Kinasseri, Panniyankara, Thiruvannur, Areekode, Nallalam, Kolathara, Kundayithode, Beypore, Arakkinar, Mathottam, Payyanakkal, Nadi Nagar, Mukhadar, Kuttichira, Moonnalingal, Vellayil and Puthiyangadi.

The CMP will contest from the Naduvattam and Chalappuram divisions.

In the 2020 local body polls, the Congress had won nine seats, including Elathur, Malapparamba, Paroppadi, Chevayur, Mankavu, Kallai, Chalappuram, Valiyangadi, and Nadakkavu, while the IUML had won five seats, including Kinasseri, Thiruvannur, Kuttichira, Moonnalingal, and Vellayil. The UDF had 17 seats altogether, including the support of three independent councillors.