Musafar, Niyas, Abu likely contenders for Mayor’s post

With the civic body polls looming, mainstream political parties in Kozhikode are focussing on finalising their nominees, with the Mayoral candidate being a priority.

Given that the Mayor’s seat remains unreserved in this election cycle, several figures have emerged in the list of probable candidates. While there has been no formal declaration of mayoral candidates by the major political fronts- the names are widely known- the battle lines are also clearly drawn around key issues of civic governance and infrastructure development.

The prospective contenders include the incumbent Deputy Mayor C.P. Musafar Ahamed of the CPI(M), and the KPCC general secretary P.M. Niyas, and even former DCC president K.C. Abu is likely to throw his hat into the ring.

Sources said that Mr Ahamed brings a wealth of administrative experience and a deep understanding of the Corporation’s functioning. His performance over the last term and his standing within the party hierarchy are major assets in his bid for the top post.

Incumbent Mayor Beena Philip was a strategic yet unexpected choice by the CPI(M) in 2020, as the Mayor’s post had been reserved for a woman five years earlier. A retired teacher and former principal, she was seen as a non-political face who brought a clean, approachable demeanour to the office, broadening the LDF’s appeal. Interestingly, the CPI(M) had also fielded S. Jayasree, a retired college Principal, for the role in the previous polls.

With the seat now being declared unreserved (general) for the upcoming polls, Ms. Philip has publicly confirmed she is unlikely to contest for a second term.

The race for the Mayor’s chair is fundamentally defined by the Left parties’ decades-long dominance over the Kozhikode Corporation, having maintained a near-unbroken hold for around 45 years. Even so, the CPI(M)’s final decision on the Mayoral candidate will be crucial, as it aims to capitalise on its strong organisational base and track record in the city.

P.M. Niyas
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

In the Congress-led UDF, Mr. Niyas combines organisational leadership with political experience, making him a formidable challenger. His position in the State party apparatus gives him the leverage and resources needed for a city-level campaign. He has also served as a councillor.

Party leaders believe that his candidature would signal a serious and aggressive push to shatter the decades-long LDF narrative of invincibility in Kozhikode Corporation.

K.C. Abu
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

The BJP is expected to contest keenly in several urban divisions and the erstwhile Beypore grama panchayat areas. While not a primary contender for the Mayor’s post, the party could split votes in closely contested wards, posing a challenge to both coalitions, particularly the Congress–IUML combine.

The coming days are expected to see intensified deliberations as both the LDF and the UDF move closer to formally announcing their candidates. However, sources said any decision on candidates, Mayoral or otherwise, would be made only after the election is declared.