Kerala BJP presses for councillor’s resignation over alleged bribe demand

The Bharatiya Janata Party has increased pressure for the resignation of Communist Party of India (Marxist) councillor Ajin S. over allegations that he demanded a ₹10 lakh bribe from a landowner in Thiruvananthapuram. Ajin represents the Thrikannapuram ward of the city corporation.

A purported video showing him allegedly seeking money from a landowner began circulating two days before the report was published. The landowner, identified as Sanju and described as a native of Thirumala, alleged that Ajin approached him over liability and encroachment issues concerning a plot he had purchased. Sanju subsequently complained to Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner.

Ajin denied the allegation. He said the video was fabricated and edited to discredit him because he had opposed attempts to commercially exploit government land. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar called for the footage to be examined and urged Mayor V.V.

Rajesh to bring the matter before the corporation council for debate. He said there was no place in the corporation for a councillor involved in such conduct. CPI(M) state secretary M.V.

Govindan said the party’s district committee would conduct an internal inquiry. Mayor Rajesh said the corporation had not yet filed a complaint and was examining legal aspects of the case. United Democratic Front parliamentary party leader K.S.

Sabarinadhan described the allegations as serious. He said that, if established by an investigation, they could represent a breach of public trust and potentially attract provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and the Kerala Municipality Act 1994. The material does not say whether a formal criminal case has been registered or whether the alleged footage has been independently authenticated.