LDF activists dance during the culmination of the public campaign for the local polls in Kozhikode on Tuesday. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh
Public campaigning for the local polls ended on a high note in Kozhikode district on Tuesday at 6 pm as the three major fronts — Left Democratic Front (LDF), United Democratic Front (UDF) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) — used their full strength to reach out to as many voters as possible.
The ‘Kottikkalasham’, or culmination of the public campaign, was held in a decentralized manner with LDF, UDF and NDA activists organizing processions and rallies in sections and divisions. Various partygoers danced to the beat of drums and loud music while crackers and party poppers popped in the background. Though no major untoward incidents were reported from the district, LDF and UDF activists came face to face at Vellikkulangara in Onchiyam grama panchayat. The police had a hard time pacifying the two groups.
The candidates and their supporters will now spend the next 24 hours quietly campaigning to ensure they get a favorable result in the vote on December 11.
Weekly campaign
The main fronts have left no stone unturned in the past few weeks to push their political line before the voters of Kozhikode. While the LDF’s main campaigners included Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the UDF fielded opposition leader VD Satheesan and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state president Panakkad Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal and IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty. For the NDA, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, among others, was the main campaigner.
UDF activists in high spirits like crackers are snapped during the culmination of public campaigning for local polls in Kozhikode on Tuesday. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh
Loud speakers mounted on vehicles to shout out announcements and proclamations were few and far between in the early weeks of the campaign. However, outreach efforts were in full swing through social media. Reels, short videos, cards and voice clips soliciting votes were widely circulated. Notice boards and posters were ubiquitous in their presence in most places. Party activists tried to ensure that they visited the houses at least three times to personally meet the voters and their family members. However, during the last week of the campaign, loud announcements dominated every nook and corner. They were followed by road shows and motorcycle rallies. Candidates were seen calling voters on their phones if they did not meet them in person. All fronts also targeted debutante voters as promises rained in left, right and centre.
Problems
A “tactical tie-up” between the Hindu-backed Jamaat-e-Islami Welfare Party of India and the UDF was a major campaign issue raised by the LDF. Mr. Vijayan also clarified LDF’s stand on the issue during a press meet in Kozhikode. The LDF also highlighted the development initiatives of the state government and the allegations against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. The UDF has targeted the Sabarimala temple gold theft case and is banking heavily on a perceived anti-incumbency sentiment. Although the Congress faced fewer rebels this time, the party faced a major embarrassment when its Kozhikode mayoral candidate, VM Vinu, was absent from the voter list.
Published – 09 Dec 2025 21:08 IST
