Public campaigning for the Assembly polls concluded in Kozhikode district on Tuesday evening (April 7), even as the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) accused each other of being in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to overcome their electoral limitations.‘Kottikkalasham’, the culmination of the public campaigning, was held at important points across the district. Carrying their respective party flags, activists of the LDF, UDF, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) danced to the tunes of popular songs and the beating of drums amid the bursting of party poppers. Some of the candidates were also seen shaking their legs for a while. The major points where ‘kottikkalasham’ was held include Palayam and Mavoor Road in Kozhikode city and places such as Koyilandy, Nadapuram, Beypore, Kuttiyadi and Thiruvambadi. However, the event was not held in the Perambra constituency amid concerns about possible violence. The rival fronts will now focus on silent campaigning on Wednesday (April 8).Activists of rival political fronts come face to face at Palayam in Kozhikode city during the culmination of the public campaigning for the Assembly polls, on April 7. | Photo Credit: K. RageshMeanwhile, addressing a press conference in the city, Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] district secretary M. Mehboob alleged that UDF activists had attacked LDF workers in parts of the district during the campaigning. He claimed that Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) workers had intimidated LDF workers who sought votes from the Muslim majority areas in Nadapuram. Mr. Mehboob alleged that the UDF resorted to violent tactics as it was scared of a drubbing at the hustings. The CPI(M) leader also alleged that the UDF had reached a deal with the BJP to secure its votes in Koyilandy and Kozhikode North constituencies. If the BJP gets fewer votes than it got during the local body polls, it could be proof of this “deal”, Mr. Mehboob added. LDF convener Mukkom Mohammed expressed the hope that the front would retain its supremacy in the district.Police personnel blowing a whistle to announce the conclusion of public campaigning for the Assembly polls in Kozhikode city on April 7. | Photo Credit: K. RageshAt the same time, M.K. Raghavan, MP, and M.K. Muneer, MLA, told the media that there was no triangular contest in the district and the fight was squarely between the UDF and the LDF. They claimed that the UDF would romp home in 10 of the 13 segments, while reiterating the allegation that the CPI(M) had entered into a deal with the BJP. “After Malappuram, Kozhikode will contribute the highest number of MLAs to the UDF,” Mr. Raghavan said. He claimed that the UDF would get the support of traditional Left sympathisers this time. Mr. Muneer said that most of the important development projects that the LDF claimed to have implemented were launched during the UDF government’s tenure. He also claimed that no major development work had been taken up in Kozhikode in the past 10 years.Published - April 07, 2026 08:57 pm IST