UDF councillor’s suspension triggers chaos in Kozhikode Corpn. meeting

The suspension of a UDF councillor for allegedly standing up to make a comment led to chaos at the Kozhikode Corporation council meeting on Tuesday (June 17). UDF councillor K. Nirmala had criticised the conduct of CPI(M) councillor K. Bijulal in connection with the demolition of the ‘Sathram’ building, a heritage structure in Panniyankara.

As she stood up to speak, ignoring the warnings of Deputy Mayor C.P. Musafar Ahamed, she was suspended. Although she was let off with a warning following a private meeting between the party leaders, the disruption continued when the council proceedings resumed. The UDF alleged a covert understanding between the CPI(M) and the BJP, even as the council agenda was passed in the meantime.

Both the UDF and the LDF later issued statements with separate explanations and allegations regarding the incident.

UDF council party leader K.C. Shobhita accused the Deputy Mayor of being arrogant and said that attempts to silence dissenting voices would not be tolerated. “Interestingly, it was BJP leader T. Rineesh who insisted that councillor Nirmala be suspended. The LDF had let off BJP councillor C.S. Sathyabhama last month when she insulted the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. This points to an unholy alliance between the CPI(M) and BJP,” she said.

She also alleged that passing the agenda without a discussion was against democracy as well as the Municipal rules.

Meanwhile, the LDF criticised the UDF for allegedly disrupting council proceedings and creating unnecessary chaos. “Party leaders seem unable to control their immature members,” the LDF statement said. It claimed that councillor Nirmala had deviated from the topic during her response to a submission and had ignored multiple warnings, which led to her suspension. “The UDF is sabotaging the city’s development process. This is the worst opposition in the history of the Kozhikode Corporation. They should apologise to the public,” the LDF added in its statement.

Published - June 17, 2025 11:42 pm IST