BJP faces crisis in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation as councilor R Sreelekha mulls resignation

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, plunged into a fresh crisis on Saturday with the party’s state vice-president R. Sreelekha reportedly expressing her wish to quit as Sasthamangalam ward councillor.

However, Mayor VV Rajesh sought to downplay the development and said that Ms. Sreelekha had only forwarded a letter expressing personal discomfort. He did not confirm whether the letter communicated her resignation, saying the councilor must submit a letter of resignation to the company secretary.

Ms. Sreelekha had earlier protested that the mayor’s post was not being considered. While she contested the State Assembly elections from the Vattiyurkavu constituency, she finished third.

“Not on the phone either”

Corporation Secretary J. Muhammed Shafi also denied receiving an official communication letter from Ms. Sreelekha. Mr. Shafi clarified that under Section 40 of the Kerala Municipalities Act, a letter of resignation has to be submitted to the company secretary. “He has not received any such letter yet,” he told the media. He also denied receiving any such communication over the phone from Mrs. Sreelekha.

Ms. Sreelekha reportedly mentioned in her ward’s WhatsApp group that she had informed the Mayor through a letter dated September 30 that she was resigning as a councilor due to personal reasons. A copy of the letter will be submitted to the district collector on Monday, she said.

The mayor said the party was trying to find ways to address the inconveniences raised by Ms. Sreelekha. “Based on the letter I received and the information shared with me, I am trying to move things along smoothly and resolve them in the best possible way,” said Mr. Rajesh. Ms. Sreelekha could not be reached for comment.

Now a slim majority

The latest development has put the BJP, which has a slim majority in the city corporation, on the back foot. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has 50 seats in the 101-member council and is ruling with the support of Independents. If the resignation goes through, the party will have 49 councillors.

Ms Sreelekha, a former Director General of Police, had earlier made her displeasure at being overlooked for the post of Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram clear. She said the party made her a candidate after promising her the post of mayor.

Published – 03 Oct 2026 20:36 IST