The Thrissur Municipal Corporation faced stiff opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its alleged “anti-democratic” move to remove the party’s flex boards and banners set up for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit on January 3, 2024. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address the ‘Mathrushakthi Sangamam,’ expected to draw a crowd of two lakhs.
Upon learning of the Corporation’s actions on January 1, 2024, BJP workers swiftly initiated protests against the removal of their promotional materials. Led by district party president Adv. K K Aneesh, the workers prevented further removal and insisted on the reinstatement of the taken-down boards and banners.
Adv. Aneesh expressed dissatisfaction with the Corporation’s decision, pointing out the lack of justification for removing BJP’s publicity materials. He drew attention to the continued presence of flexes and banners from the Pinarayi Government’s Nava Kerala Sadas and the INTUC State conference, both concluded weeks ago. Adv. Aneesh accused the Corporation of politically motivated actions and squarely blamed the Mayor for the removal.
In response to the protests, the Corporation was compelled to re-erect the removed promotional materials. BJP workers continued their demonstration outside the Corporation office, symbolizing their protest by erecting a new publicity board.
Political observers are interpreting this incident as a calculated move by the CPM-led ruling Left Democratic Front, possibly with the tacit support of the Congress-led opposition United Democratic Front (UDF). The fact that promotional materials from the Congress-led INTUC have remained untouched is seen as a significant point in this context, raising questions about the Corporation’s impartiality in handling political events.
