Kochi Corporation’s council meet ends in 30 minutes; Mayor passes 161 files without discussion

Kochi: The council meeting of the Kochi Corporation, which was expected to be the final one ahead of the upcoming local body polls, ended abruptly after barely 30 minutes on Tuesday. The meeting turned dramatic after Mayor M Anilkumar, who entered the hall in the middle of the meeting, declared all 161 agenda items as passed and adjourned the session, triggering strong protests from the United Democratic Front (UDF) councillors over the manner in which the meeting was conducted without any discussion. 

The meeting began at 3 pm with Deputy Mayor KA Ansiya in the chair, as Anilkumar was absent. The Opposition councillors raised several issues, and the council hall saw a heated exchange between the ruling LDF and the UDF. Soon, the meeting was taken over by the Mayor. 

Anilkumar reminded the councillors that it had been made clear in the previous council session that this meeting would be confined to approving work files and would not involve deliberations. He said those opposing the process could withdraw their respective agenda items and consider the remaining ones approved. After saying this, he ended the meeting and left the hall.

UDF councillors erupted in protest, accusing the Mayor of bypassing democratic procedure and preventing debates. They alleged that the move was aimed at avoiding discussion on the renovation of Kaloor Stadium, which they claimed was being carried out without obtaining the Corporation’s No Objection Certificate. The councillors shouted slogans and staged a sit-in before walking out of the hall.

Earlier, UDF Parliamentary Party Secretary MG Aristotle had objected to the nature of the meeting, questioning whether it had been convened as a special or emergency session since the notice mentioned both. When the Corporation Secretary clarified that it was an emergency meeting, Aristotle said that, as per the Kerala Municipality Act, such meetings could only be held to address a specific issue, not an agenda with over 161 items.

LDF councillors defended the decision, stating that the agenda included matters relevant to all councillors, not just those from the ruling front.

The UDF also raised concerns about a handbook reportedly printed by the Corporation at a cost of ₹50 lakh, highlighting the achievements of the current governing committee. UDF councillor Henry Austin alleged that CPM activists were distributing the publication as a party leaflet.

During the tense exchanges, a sudden power outage disrupted proceedings and cut off the sound system. However, Aristotle continued speaking using a personal cordless microphone, which he brought. Aristotle said that he had brought it, alleging that the Mayor’s table in the newly inaugurated council hall was equipped with a switch to mute councillors’ microphones.