Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the single largest party in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, continued to maintain tension over its mayoral candidate, the United Democratic Front (UDF) on Wednesday declared KS Sabarinadhan as its candidate. The former Congress MLA won by a narrow margin from Kowdiar in the recently conducted local body elections. ‘
The UDF will also field Mary Pushpam, who has served as a councilor for the past few terms, as deputy mayor. The Front improved this time and won 19 seats as it reversed the downward trend witnessed in the previous two elections. However, the mayoral battle will be largely symbolic given the numbers in the 101-member council.
Two days ago, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) decided to induct RP Sivaji, a long-time councilor and secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for Vilappila, as mayor of RP. The number of seats in the LDF decreased from 51 seats in 2020 to 29 seats this year. However, the BJP’s failure to secure a majority seems to have led the front to contest the mayoral election.
The BJP, which met in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, was apparently not sure about announcing its candidate even two days before the mayoral elections on Friday. Former district president VV Rajesh, three-time councilor Karamana Ajith and R Sreelekha, former director general of police, are in contention.
Despite a historic victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in the local body elections, the BJP still fell one seat short of the required 51 majority in the 101-member council. The two independent candidates who won in Kannammoola and Poundkadavu constituencies have kept their options open.
Published – 24 Dec 2025 20:16 IST
