Overview
- Rajesh won the mayoral contest with 51 votes, while the LDF’s R. P. Sivaji received 29 and the UDF’s K. S. Sabarinadhan tallied 17 after two UDF ballots were invalidated, with one independent abstaining.
- The BJP had emerged from the local body polls with 50 of 101 wards, ending roughly four decades of Left control in the state capital’s civic body.
- Independent councillor M. Radhakrishnan backed the BJP, taking its effective strength to the majority mark of 51 in the council.
- The vote was conducted with 100 participating seats because polling in the Vizhinjam ward was postponed after a candidate’s death, and District Collector Anu Kumari administered the oath.
- The party named G. S. Asha Nath as deputy mayor nominee after internal deliberations that saw former DGP R. Sreelekha set aside in favor of Rajesh.