The Congress-led United Democratic Front’s (UDF) strategic collaboration with the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind-backed Welfare Party of India (WPI) in specific divisions of Mukkom municipality in Kozhikode made national headlines back in 2020. While this alliance proved advantageous for the UDF in local civic bodies and a couple of nearby grama panchayats, it triggered a significant electoral backlash for the Congress and its allies across the state. Political adversaries skillfully capitalized on this tie-up, making it a central point of their campaign.
With the 2025 local body elections drawing closer, whispers of a similar alliance are already circulating. A prominent UDF leader from the area indicated that early-stage discussions about seat distribution are underway. Currently, talks are focused solely between the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). However, the leader acknowledged that the Welfare Party’s influence in certain municipal areas is a factor that cannot be overlooked.
Meanwhile, IUML leader A.M. Aboobacker mentioned that a Supreme Court hearing on November 6 is pending, concerning a petition against the state’s current ward delimitation process. He noted that the outcome of this ruling could alter the composition of various divisions, implying that comprehensive discussions on seat-sharing would only be possible after the court’s decision.
Despite the potential advantages, insiders reveal that some leaders and local activists within both the Congress and the IUML are hesitant about forging another alliance with the WPI. Their concern stems from the belief that the previous election’s partnership alienated a segment of Hindu and Christian voters from the UDF in other districts, leading to unfavorable results.
In the 2020 elections, the Left Democratic Front (LDF), alongside its supported Independents, secured 15 seats. The UDF, its Independents, and the WPI collectively matched this tally with 15 divisions. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won two seats, and one seat went to an independent candidate formerly associated with the IUML. Ultimately, the LDF formed the civic body’s government with the crucial support of this IUML rebel, Mohammed Abdul Majeed. The WPI’s success in Kanakkuparamba, Mangalassery, and Pulparamba divisions was largely attributed to the UDF’s backing. For the upcoming elections, the number of divisions has increased to 34. Although Mr. Majeed later voted with the UDF in a no-confidence motion last year, the LDF retained power as NDA members chose to abstain.
Looking further back, in the 2015 local body elections, the LDF, supported by the WPI, achieved a clear majority on its own with 18 members, while the WPI itself secured three seats. In that election, the UDF held 10 seats, and the BJP and the Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) each won one.
District leaders from the Welfare Party have stated their clear intention to contest in at least four seats if an alliance with the UDF materializes, including their three existing seats and an additional one. Should an agreement fail to be reached, the WPI is prepared to independently field candidates in as many as 11 divisions.