LDF boycots Kochi Corporation’s Onasadya, stages sit-in protest with buns over alleged undemocratic ways

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LDF stages a sit-in boycotting Corporation’s Onasadya to mark protest against alleged undemocratic ways of the UDF council. Photo: Special Arrangement

The opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) has launched what it described as a protracted protest against what it termed the “undemocratic” methods of the United Democratic Front (UDF)-led Kochi Corporation council, boycotting the Onasadya hosted by the civic body at its headquarters here to mark the conclusion of the week-long Onam celebrations on Saturday (August 22, 2026).

Twenty of the 22 LDF councillors staged a sit-in in front of the Corporation office even as the Onasadya was being served, opting instead for a frugal lunch of bun to register their protest. The demonstration sought to highlight the council’s arbitrary decisions to withdraw subsidy for biomedical waste collection from households and to allocate land to a private company for setting up a waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram without inviting Expressions of Interest.

“The last council meeting was dismissed without accepting the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the withdrawal of subsidy for biomedical waste collection. This was symbolic of the larger undemocratic ways of the UDF council from the very outset. The irony is that the present Mayor was among the UDF Councillors who staunchly demanded the continuation of subsidised waste collection when they were in the opposition,” said V.A. Sreejith, LDF parliamentary party leader.

He alleged that the waste collection contract was granted to a company without assessing its capacity. The company did not even possess vehicles, following which Corporation vehicles were allotted to them. While the Municipal Act permits the Corporation to rent out its vehicles, it must be done in compliance with procedures. Waste collection is now centred around centralised points rather than doorsteps, creating hardships for residents. “The boycott of the Onam celebrations was only the beginning. We are determined to intensify the protest with people’s participation in the coming days,” Mr. Sreejith said.

Mayor V.K. Minimol, however, maintained that the Corporation’s Onam celebrations, Aaravam 2026, which concluded on Saturday (August 22, 2026), were a resounding success despite the opposition boycott since its launch on August 17. “The discussion on biomedical waste was not allowed since it had already been placed in the council agenda, acknowledging the protest raised by the opposition when the matter came up before the health standing committee. There was no point in allowing further discussions, as the opposition would only have repeated its already registered arguments,” she reasoned.

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