Laughter, memories, mutual respect mark Kochi Corporation Council’s farewell session

Hostilities were set aside, as were political barbs — except for the minor ones that an election season inevitably demands — as Kochi Corporation councillors reminisced about their last five years together. In a spirit of camaraderie that transcended political affiliations, they also praised Mayor M. Anilkumar during the farewell council held here on Thursday.

There were humorous moments, such as when Congress councillor M.G. Aristotle — always seen in his white Khadi shirt and dhoti — walked past the Mayor’s podium nattily dressed in a casual shirt, jeans, and sneakers, leaving Mr. Anilkumar momentarily stumped as he mistook him for a civilian who had inadvertently wandered into the council hall.

Women councillors who spoke almost unanimously, hailed the Mayor for his inclusive approach and guidance, regardless of political affiliations. BJP councillor Padmaja Menon, who initiated the discussion, went so far as to say that she was fortunate to have served in a council led by Mr. Anilkumar. “We fought in the council, but outside, he was always like a brother to me. He served as the first citizen of this city with distinction,” she said.

United Democratic Front (UDF) councillor Suja Lonappan wished Mr. Anilkumar a bright future as an MLA and even as a Minister. Her party colleague Sakkeer Thammanam also wished the outgoing Mayor great success, though not necessarily as an MLA or Minister. “Because then someone from my own party will be on the receiving end,” he quipped, before requesting Mr. Anilkumar not to take his slogans in the council personally. He was merely following the lead of his colleague and UDF Parliamentary Party leader, Mr. Aristotle, he said.

After humorously recalling how women councillors had threatened to beat him up if he raised any point of order under the Municipal Act against holding the farewell council, Mr. Aristotle moved on to share more painful experiences. “I couldn’t be by my wife’s side in Saudi Arabia when she fell ill as I was unable to renew my passport after being booked by the police for protests related to the Brahmapuram fire [in 2023]. It was a personal wound, and I didn’t want to contest again but is doing so under the party directive,” he said. Many UDF councillors also recalled the police action during the Brahmapuram protests.

In his reply, Mr. Anilkumar urged councillors to maintain mutual respect even while attacking a political opponent, something he felt was lacking in the recently concluded council. “Many of you weren’t fortunate enough to benefit from what I received — interactions with experienced and learned individuals from a previous generation. Always be open to learning good qualities, even from political opponents,” he said, while also thanking the Opposition UDF and the BJP for not attempting to personally implicate him in any scandals.

Dressed in casuals, he said that he always wanted to shun the mayoral robe, which, he said, was a colonial residue.