UDF, BJP slam final delimitation notification for Kochi Corporation

The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have slammed the final notification on the delimitation of Kochi Corporation divisions, alleging it to be a political exercise to suit the electoral interests of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].

They reiterated the allegations they had raised at the time of the draft notification’s publication, that the divisions had been rearranged and redrawn in violation of the norms prescribed by the Delimitation Commission, by officials owing allegiance to the CPI(M).

UDF parliamentary party secretary M.G. Aristotle said that only one of their complaints — about removing two islands from the Fort Kochi division in violation of geographical contiguity and adding them to the Island North division — had been taken on board. He added that the draft notification had led to the expansion of Island North (Division 9) in population and geographical size, thanks to the original arrangement.

“Otherwise, the delimitation process has followed a path charted to ensure electoral gains for the CPI(M). The creation of two new divisions at Palluruthy, a known CPI(M) bastion, in violation of population considerations, is one of the clear giveaways. The eastern areas of the Corporation, despite having an increased population, have been overlooked when considering new divisions. Even the rearrangements within existing divisions have been carried out in violation of delimitation norms — major roads, canals, and installations like railway gates and bridges should be treated as natural boundaries — all to serve the political interests of the CPI(M),” he alleged.

BJP city district committee president K.S. Shaiju claimed that the party’s major complaints regarding errors in estimating the number of households and violations of natural boundaries in the delimitation exercise had gone unheeded. Even households that had remained closed for years were counted. The clear directive by the Delimitation Commission that natural boundaries should be considered during delimitation was overlooked solely to strengthen the electoral prospects of the CPI(M) and weaken those of its rivals, including the BJP, he alleged.

Published - May 29, 2025 08:09 pm IST