Congress accuses CPI(M) of turning Kozhikode into its ‘hub of corruption'
The District Congress Committee (DCC) has accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] of turning Kozhikode into its 'hub of corruption' over the last nine years of Left Democratic Front rule and during its consecutive terms in power in the Kozhikode Corporation.
DCC president K. Praveenkumar told the media on Monday (April 21, 2025) that the Congress would launch a campaign against corruption in May. He said that SAIL-SCL Kerala Limited, popularly known as the Steel Complex, a public sector undertaking in the city, had allegedly been handed over to a Chhattisgarh-based private company for a pittance. He alleged that senior CPI(M) leaders and certain people in power had a clear role in the deal, which was evident from the passive stand taken by the government counsel in an ongoing case against the acquisition before the National Company Law Tribunal. Mr. Praveenkumar added that the Congress would oppose any attempt by the private company to take over the land and properties of the Steel Complex.
Another instance of corruption was the sale of land belonging to the century-old Comtrust Weaving Factory, which had been taken over by the State government through an ordinance years ago, Mr. Praveenkumar said. Of the 3.84 acres owned by the company in the heart of the city, 45 cents were sold to a society chaired by the father of Minister for Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas. Of this, 26 cents were taken over by an institution led by VKC Mammad Koya, former CPI(M) MLA. Another entrepreneur bought 50 cents, and a separate company, allegedly formed at the behest of the CPI(M), acquired one acre and 1.63 cents, he said. Mr. Praveenkumar demanded that a probe by a sitting judge be ordered to uncover the truth behind these deals.
The Congress leader also alleged that there had been gross corruption in the renovation of the Corporation buildings undertaken at a cost of ₹19 crore. The water leakage reported from the renovated Town Hall was cited as an example. Mr. Praveenkumar further alleged that a company run by a CPI(M) leader had consistently secured the contract for installing advertisement boards in the city.
Asked about an editorial published in Veekshanam, the party mouthpiece, criticising party leaders jostling for space during the opening of the new DCC office recently, he said that it reflected the Congress party's strong democratic convictions. 'We will take it as an opportunity to correct our lapses. Such an incident should not have occurred. The State Congress leadership has now issued clear guidelines on the participation of party leaders during events,' Mr. Praveenkumar said.
The DCC will set up a Gandhi School to propagate the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi in Kozhikode. Tushar Gandhi, Gandhiji's great-grandson, will inaugurate the school on April 25.
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