DCC President K. Praveen Kumar, CPI(M) District Secretary M. Mehboob and BJP District President KP Prakash Babu present their points at the ‘Meet the Leaders’ program organized by the Calicut Press Club in Kozhikode on December 5, 2025. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh
The ‘Meet the Leaders’ pre-election discussion organized by the Calicut Press Club on Friday (December 5, 2025) saw three district chiefs of major political parties outline their visions, priorities, expectations and manifesto commitments ahead of next week’s tri-phase local body elections.
Inaugurating the proceedings, Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) District Secretary M. Mehboob highlighted the benefits that Kozhikode has received from successive periods of development-oriented governance under the Left Democratic Front (LDF). He cited the November 1 announcement that no family in the state remained in the “extremely poor” category as proof of the effectiveness of government welfare. He added that the LDF’s manifesto for Kozhikode was framed to expand public services and deepen people-centred secular government.
He also criticized the divisive communal policies of the Union government and argued that the Congress often supports such policies. Mr. Mehboob added that the political role of the Left will continue to be rooted in secular values.
Countering the LDF’s claims, District Congress Committee (DCC) President K. Praveen Kumar argued that the eradication of poverty in Kozhikode was far from complete and pointed to shortcomings in the implementation of programs such as the ‘Life Mission’ programme.
Kozhikode’s educational progress, he said, was stagnant and the district’s road infrastructure continued to deteriorate despite successive budgets. The United Democratic Front (UDF) would revive the Kozhikode Light Metro project and provide free local bus service for women and persons with disabilities. Measures would also be taken to address the menace of stray dogs and expand welfare coverage, Mr. Kumar added.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) district president KP Prakash Babu said that key infrastructure components of the district have progressed only because of the Union government’s initiatives and funding. He cited projects like the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) block at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode as proof of this.
The BJP manifesto, he said, aims to create a more women-friendly city, improve doorstep services, ensure efficient waste collection, expand parking infrastructure and address gaps in geriatric healthcare, including free hospital treatment for citizens over 70 years of age.
Published – 05 Dec 2025 21:26 IST
