O. Sadashivan, S. Jayasree to be LDF’s nominees for Mayor, Deputy Mayor in Kozhikode

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has proposed O. Sadashivan, councillor-designate from the Thadambattuthazham ward, as its Mayoral candidate, and S. Jayasree, councillor-designate from the Kottooli ward, as the Deputy Mayoral candidate, in the Kozhikode Corporation.

Mr. Sadashivan is a two-term councillor and leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] party in the outgoing council. Ms. Jayasree was chairperson of the standing committee on health. The swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected councillors is expected to be held on December 21, and the mayoral elections are scheduled for December 26.

S. Jayasree.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

Addressing the media here on Thursday (December 18), LDF district convener Mukkom Mohammed, CPI(M) district secretary M. Mehboob, Communist Party of India district secretary P. Gavas, and other LDF leaders claimed that though the United Democratic Front (UDF) had made gains in the recently concluded local body polls in Kozhikode, the LDF’s mass base remained intact. They alleged that the UDF could win more seats in the district because of its direct and indirect tie-up with the BJP and organisations espousing minority communalism.

Milli Mohan.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

K.K. Navas.

Meanwhile, senior CPI(M) leader P. Mohanan claimed that contrary to what had been portrayed in a section of the media, the UDF had lost its upper hand in certain Assembly segments in Kozhikode compared with the situation after last year’s Lok Sabha polls. In the Assembly segments in the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency, the LDF had a lead of over 50,000 votes, he said. In the Vadakara Municipality, the LDF got more seats and retained power. The LDF’s dominance was evident in the political votes that were cast in the election to the district panchayat divisions, he added. Asked about the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s allegations of being sidelined in the LDF, the leaders said that such issues would be discussed and sorted out soon.

Milli Mohan to lead district panchayat

The Congress, meanwhile, chose Milli Mohan, who was elected from the Kodenchery division of the Kozhikode district panchayat, as its nominee for the post of president. The Indian Union Muslim League has proposed K.K. Navas for the post of vice-president. The UDF and its ally, the Revolutionary Marxist Party, have won 15 seats in the 28-member panchayat.

In the Kozhikode Corporation, Manakkal Sasi, who was elected from the Mankavu ward, was chosen as the Congress council party leader.