The Kochi Corporation Council meeting on Thursday (October 16, 2025) witnessed a war of words between the opposition and ruling benches as both sides traded allegations of corruption.
The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) sought to arrest Mayor M Anilkumar and a government committee on corruption charges after the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) arrested two corporation officials on bribery charges. The mayor replied that officials maintained bribery price lists during the UDF’s tenure.
Mr. Anilkumar went on the attack and asked who shared the proceeds of bribery under the UDF government. He accused the opposition of making baseless allegations of corruption and warned that he would be forced to return to past affairs. “Corrupt officials will not go unpunished and strict action will be taken,” the mayor said.
He added that such officials should be brought to court by Vigilance and a letter will be sent to the Director of VACB asking for an investigation of the official in Vyttila zone who is facing corruption charges. Mr. Anilkumar also accused the UDF of double standards in matters of development.
On the increase in the cost of building the corporation office, the mayor explained that this was due to the addition of new facilities in line with evolving needs.
Published – 17 Oct 2025 02:09 IST
