Kozhikode Corporation entrenched in corruption, alleges NDA

The five years of the Kozhikode Corporation council were characterised by a lack of development and corruption, said K. Surendran, former State president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Releasing the ‘chargesheet’ of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) against the Corporation here on Saturday (December 6), Mr. Surendran said the Deputy Mayor was carrying out the administration of the civic body while the Mayor looked on.

“Due to apathy, the Corporation could not utilise Central assistance properly. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] benefited much from corruption, while the United Democratic Front [UDF] was its silent supporter. The Corporation was against common people while appeasing the wealthy and the affluent,” Mr. Surendran said.

He assured that a blueprint of the development plans would be released within 45 days if the NDA was voted into power in the Corporation. He alleged that the LDF and the UDF had joined hands in several divisions to defeat the BJP. The UDF is defunct in many divisions. Both the fronts are contesting with the support of communal elements, he added.

Mr. Surendran said a change of power in the Kozhikode Corporation was beyond doubt. BJP city district president K.P. Prakash Babu, national council member K.P. Sreeshan, State cell coordinator V.K. Sajeevan, and State council member P. Raghunath were present.

The NDA ‘chargesheet’ highlights the Corporation’s “inability to utilise funds sanctioned under the AMRUT scheme, traffic congestion in the city, and the failure to set up the promised parking plazas or other arrangements for parking that could ease traffic.” The ‘chargesheet’ also questions Budget allocations, repeating projects, and fund utilisation.