CPI(M) says Sreelekha episode highlights BJP strain in Kerala
CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan and LDF convener T.P. Ramakrishnan said the reported resignation of BJP councillor R. Sreelekha exposed internal differences within the party. The BJP-led alliance has 50 of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation’s 101 seats and relies on Independents to govern.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary M.V. Govindan said the reported resignation of former police officer R. Sreelekha as a Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor exposed growing difficulties inside the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Speaking in Palakkad on Saturday, Govindan said some people entered politics with expectations of personal benefit and might not remain active for long. He cited Sreelekha’s reported decision as an example. He said the move did not appear to represent a complete withdrawal from politics and attributed it to internal differences within the BJP.
Govindan said he saw no other political issue behind the development but warned that it could create an administrative crisis. Left Democratic Front convener T.P. Ramakrishnan also described the reported resignation as evidence of differences within the BJP.
He alleged that the party would not be able to remain in power in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and said the issue had originated within the BJP itself. Ramakrishnan said the LDF and the CPI(M) in Thiruvananthapuram would take a clear position on the matter. Sreelekha, a former Director General of Police, had previously expressed displeasure after not being considered for the Mayor’s post.
The source material said she had indicated that the party fielded her after promising her the mayoral position. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance currently holds 50 seats in the 101-member council and governs with the support of Independents. A separate report said the Mayor and Corporation Secretary had not received a formal resignation from Sreelekha, who represents Sasthamangalam ward.
That report said Sreelekha had handed the Mayor a letter referring to personal difficulties and had reportedly told her ward’s WhatsApp group that she intended to resign. The Corporation Secretary said a resignation must be submitted formally under the Kerala Municipality Act. The comments from Govindan and Ramakrishnan are political assessments.
The source material did not include a response from Sreelekha or the BJP to their claims.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.