Kochi Corporation Council defeats LDF resolution against substainal Plan fund cut in revised State Budget

Published 27 July 2026 · politics

A resolution moved by the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) against the substantial cut of over ₹109 crore in Plan fund allocation to the Kochi

A resolution moved by the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) against the substantial cut of over ₹109 crore in Plan fund allocation to the Kochi Corporation, following the revised Budget of the UDF-led State government, was defeated by voting at the council meeting on Monday. Only 28 of the 76 councillors, including six BJP members, supported the resolution moved by councillor K.J. Basil. The voting followed a heated exchange between LDF and BJP councillors on one side and the ruling UDF councillors on the other. While the LDF pressed for forwarding the resolution to the State government, the UDF, led by Mayor V.K. Minimol, opposed it, accusing the Opposition of politicising the issue.

LDF parliamentary party leader V.A. Sreejith insisted that the resolution be put to vote and defeated so as to make a political statement. BJP councillor Priya Prashanth also demanded that the resolution be forwarded to the government to protest against what she regarded as setting a wrong precedent. “The government has come up with proposals like selling low-alcoholic beverages to make up for revenue loss. So, why reduce allocations for local bodies, which should remain untouched,” she said. Countering this, UDF councillor M.G. Aristotle pointed out that the cut in Plan funds was offset by ₹84 crore allocated under the 16th Finance Commission, which could be used without restrictions, almost like general funds, in the revised Budget.

In addition, another ₹30 crore from the 15th Finance Commission had been allocated for sanitation. “Considering that the Corporation remains to receive another ₹33 crore to meet the deserved allocation of ₹90 crore, an increase of 33% from the previous year, there is no basis for the Opposition’s allegation of a substantial Plan fund cut,” he said. When Mr. Sreejith argued that the Corporation had not been given its rightful due despite being the largest contributor to the State exchequer, Ms. Minimol countered that the city had not received any special package in the last five years when the LDF was in power.

Sreejith retorted that the narrative that the LDF had done nothing for the city was unacceptable. Welfare standing committee chairperson Antony Painuthara said that at least such discussions were possible when the UDF was in power, which was not the case under LDF rule.