Congress and IUML Level Serious Allegations Against CPM and BJP in Kozhikode
Political tensions have flared in Kozhikode as Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) make explosive claims. They allege a covert understanding between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bharatiya Janata Party. This alleged pact reportedly enabled the BJP to clinch a standing committee chairmanship for the very first time in the history of the Kozhikode corporation.
DCC President Accuses CPM of Deliberate Abstention
District Congress Committee (DCC) president K Praveenkumar addressed the media on Wednesday. He presented a detailed account of the recent tax appeal standing committee chairperson election. Praveenkumar explained that the UDF and BJP had equal strength in the committee. The CPM held a single, crucial member.
"The CPM's lone member had a clear opportunity," Praveenkumar stated. "They could have taken a position that would have kept the BJP out of the chairmanship. Instead, they chose to abstain from the election entirely. This deliberate abstention directly helped the BJP."
He strongly refuted allegations of any wrongdoing by the Congress. Praveenkumar asserted that the accusations now targeting Congress are merely a smokescreen. Their purpose, he claimed, is to obscure the real collusion between the CPM and BJP.
Defending UDF's Position and Exposing CPM's Tactics
The DCC president defended the UDF's actions throughout the process. He stated there were no lapses in their nominations or during the voting procedure itself. "It was the party holding the majority that decided which standing committee chairmanships to concede," he clarified.
Praveenkumar leveled a further accusation. He alleged that the CPM deliberately concealed information from the UDF. They did not reveal which specific committee they were willing to give up. This lack of transparency, combined with the CPM's decision to stay away from filing a nomination in the general category for the tax appeal standing committee, ultimately worked in the BJP's favor.
IUML Leader Points Finger at CPM Leadership Meeting
Muslim League district president M A Rasaq Master echoed these serious allegations. He went a step further by implicating higher-level party discussions. Master alleged that the understanding between the CPM and BJP was formalized after a key CPM district committee meeting.
"This meeting was attended by the Chief Minister himself," Master claimed. "Following this, the CPM effectively laid the bridge for the BJP's victory. They paved the way for their political opponent to gain a foothold."
How BJP Councillor Secured the Chairmanship
The controversy stems from the election held on Tuesday. BJP councillor Vineetha Sajeevan was elected as the chairperson of the tax appeal standing committee. The election was decided by a draw of lots.
The nine-member committee had a specific composition:
- Four UDF councillors
- Four BJP councillors
- One LDF (CPM) councillor
With the LDF member choosing to abstain from the voting process, the two blocs—UDF and BJP—found themselves in a deadlock. Neither side could secure a majority vote. This tie forced the decision to be made by drawing lots, a method of random selection. The draw of lots subsequently resulted in the chairpersonship going to the BJP, marking their historic first win in the corporation.
The allegations from Congress and the IUML have cast a long shadow over the proceedings. They suggest strategic political maneuvering rather than a simple electoral outcome. The political landscape in Kozhikode corporation remains heated as these claims of collusion continue to dominate local discourse.
