Opposition declines to endorse Kochi Corporation Budget amid leak allegations

The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) has declined to formally recognise the Kochi Corporation’s Budget, insisting that the civic body’s secretary respond in writing to its petition over the alleged leak of Budget details prior to its presentation in the council on Tuesday (February 24, 2026).

The LDF had petitioned for postponement of the Budget, alleging that the council agenda, complete with budgetary figures, had been leaked and published in newspapers. Opening the day-long Budget session on Thursday (February 26, 2026), LDF Parliamentary Party leader V.A. Sreejith accused Mayor V.K. Minimol of preventing secretary P.S. Shibu from addressing the Opposition’s charge on the day the Budget was tabled.

“The secretary should have discharged his duty rather than acquiescing to the Mayor. Had the Mayor admitted the lapse and agreed to rectify it instead of being intolerant, the issue could have been settled immediately,” Mr. Sreejith said. He alleged that the Mayor repeatedly disrespected the council despite the matter being raised earlier, citing her late arrival to the session. Ms. Minimol, however, attributed her late arrival to her preoccupation attending to flood-related concerns in the city.

Mr. Sreejith further accused the UDF of attempting to sabotage the Samridhi project and usher in privatisation under the guise of a public-private partnership model, while reneging on its promise to raise the honorarium of Asha workers. Wrapping up his speech, he dismissed the Budget as “disconnected from reality,” alleging that it ignored the city’s acute drinking water shortage, recurrent tidal flooding, and the concerns of workers.

Congress councillor Deepthy Mary Varghese offered a contrasting view, hailing the Budget as a farsighted one for balancing development and welfare for the next quarter of a century. She lauded proposals such as the Greater Kochi Development Council to coordinate growth in neighbouring panchayats and municipalities, initiatives to improve air quality, and focussing on funding avenues for development projects. “The UDF government to be formed after the next Assembly election will raise the honorarium of Asha workers, and the Corporation will follow suit,” she said, amid thumping of desk by ruling councillors.

Sudha Dileepkumar, BJP Parliamentary Party leader, criticised the prioritisation of municipal bonds over tax collection for resource mobilisation. She described the Budget as lacking originality, with many projects being refurbished versions of earlier ones. She questioned the proposal to redevelop the already upgraded stretch between Bharat Tourist Home and the Corporation headquarters into a “model road”.

“Uniform signboards and promoting nightlife on Broadway sound superfluous. What Broadway needs is decongested parking, where even pedestrians struggle to move. Electric buses should operate at 30-minute intervals from the Vyttila Mobility Hub between 11.30 p.m. and 4.30 a.m. to serve late-night commuters to the city,” said Ms. Dileepkumar.