Thiruvananthapuram Corporation: R. Sreelekh’s resignation offer puts BJP on the spot

For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former IPS officer R. Sreelekha’s decision to step down as a councilor in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation threatens to weaken its hold on the high-profile civic body.

If he formally hands over his resignation to the corporation secretary, it will reduce the party’s strength in the city’s 101 corporation from 50 to 49 and will also require a round in the Sasthamangalam ward.

Of the two independents in the council, the BJP has the support of Pattoor Radhakrishnan, who heads the city planning standing committee. The other independent member of the council, Sudheesh Kumar from Poundkadavu ward, though not openly aligned with the BJP, supported it on the contentious issue of extension of leave to BJP councilor R. Sugathan. Mr. Sugathan was arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act and is currently in jail.

The BJP, on the other hand, faces no immediate threat of losing the corporation as it still has more seats than the UDF and LDF and given the slim chance of rival fronts joining forces to topple it, say experts.

In the 2025 local polls in Kerala, the BJP wrested the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from the CPI(M)-led LDF, creating national headlines. It emerged as the single largest party with 50 mandates. The CPI(M)-led LDF was squeezed to 29 seats, while the Congress-led UDF won 19.

A special election to Vizhinjam ward on 12 January 2026 (the 2025 election was postponed due to the death of a candidate) saw the UDF wrest the ward and increase its strength to 20.

According to Mayor VV Rajesh, Ms Sreelekha cited personal discomfort and that the BJP was trying to “solve issues”.

The LDF and UDF are closely monitoring the development. LDF convener TP Ramakrishnan told reporters on Saturday that the Thiruvananthapuram district committees of the CPI(M) and the LDF would take a clear stand by studying the development. The BJP cannot continue in power and Ms. Sreelekha’s decision reflects the degree of unrest in the BJP camp, he said.

Speaking to The Hindu, Congress President and UDF Parliamentary Party Leader in the KS Sabarinadhan Council said his party was closely monitoring the development. “First let it be confirmed that she has resigned. However, she has not worked in the department for the last six months. If there is a bypass, we believe we can win,” Mr Sabarinadhan said.

Published – 04 Oct 2026 07:00 IST