Kozhikode Corporation polls: Congress-League seat dispute fails to settle; leaders resign

Kozhikode: Despite announcing most candidates for the Corporation, disputes within the Congress and the Muslim League remain unresolved.

As the seat-sharing conflict within the League could not be resolved, Ramla, the North Kozhikode Women’s League constituency secretary, resigned. Ward committees in Nallalam division are also likely to resign in protest against the candidate list announced on Wednesday. Strong objections have been raised in the Muqaddar, Panniyankara, Nallalam, Arikkad, Kolathara and Munalikal divisions.

If the disputes are not resolved, rebel candidates may emerge in Kovoor, Kuttichira and Muqaddar.

To seek ward-level feedback on candidate selection, a committee led by M K Munir was formed to hear complaints and resolve issues. However, none of these efforts addressed the disputes within the League. The final list of candidates was announced on Wednesday, triggering internal party tensions.

The disagreements over candidate selection continue within the Congress as well, with resignations piling up. N V Baburaj, general secretary of the Kozhikode DCC, resigned, alleging irregularities in the Corporation candidate selection process. Complaints include disregard for ward committee recommendations and deviation from candidate selection guidelines in Eranjipalam ward. Fearing defeat, the KPCC general secretary even shifted to another ward.

Baburaj alleges that candidates were imposed in Eranjipalam ward, including a former block secretary with no ties to the ward. He also claims that Congress ignores those without a group or faction, and that a CPM-Congress nexus is orchestrating corruption in Kozhikode. Baburaj added that there is no one left in the Congress to respond and no immediate alternative party to turn to.