Sreelekha resignation could narrow BJP’s hold over Thiruvananthapuram civic body
Former IPS officer R. Sreelekha’s proposed resignation as a Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor could reduce the BJP’s tally from 50 to 49 seats and trigger a by-election. The party would remain the largest bloc, but the move has prompted attention from the LDF and UDF.
Former Indian Police Service officer R. Sreelekha’s proposed resignation as a councillor in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation could weaken the Bharatiya Janata Party’s position in Kerala’s high-profile civic body. If she formally submits her resignation to the Corporation secretary, the BJP’s tally in the 101-member council would fall from 50 to 49.
Her departure would also require a by-election in the Sasthamangalam ward. The BJP would nevertheless remain the largest party. In the 2025 local body elections, it won 50 seats, ahead of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front with 29 and the Congress-led United Democratic Front with 19.
The BJP took control of the corporation in a result that drew national attention. The UDF later increased its tally to 20 after winning the Vizhinjam ward in a January 2026 special election. The election had been postponed in 2025 because of the death of a candidate.
The BJP has the support of independent councillor Pattoor Radhakrishnan, who heads the town planning standing committee. Another independent councillor, Sudheesh Kumar, supported the BJP on an earlier contentious issue involving leave for councillor R. Sugathan, who is in prison after being arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act.
Mayor V.V. Rajesh said Sreelekha had cited personal inconvenience as the reason for her proposed resignation and that the BJP was attempting to resolve the issues. The resignation had not yet been formally confirmed in the supplied material.
LDF and UDF leaders said they were monitoring the situation. LDF convener T.P. Ramakrishnan said his party would study developments before taking a clear position, while describing the move as evidence of unrest within the BJP camp.
UDF council leader K.S. Sabarinadhan said his party believed it could win if a by-election took place, but acknowledged that Sreelekha’s resignation first had to be confirmed.
Vertrix News compared the attributed reports listed below and wrote this independent synthesis. Claims remain attributed where independent verification was unavailable.