Particle.news
Download on the App Store
24 ARTICLES
·
5d ago

VV Rajesh Elected Thiruvananthapuram Mayor in BJP’s First Kerala Corporation Win

An independent councillor’s vote delivered the majority that ended decades of Left control, triggering CPI(M) objections to the process.

VV Rajesh becomes BJP's first-ever mayor in Kerala.
Image
Rajesh won the mayoral election held at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation office with 51 votes in the 101-member council.
Image

Overview

  • Rajesh won the council vote 51–29–17, securing support from independent M. Radhakrishnan against the LDF’s R. P. Sivaji and the UDF’s K. S. Sabarinadhan, with two UDF ballots ruled invalid, one abstention, and polling in Vizhinjam postponed.
  • District Collector and returning officer Anu Kumari administered the oath, while the CPI(M)-led opposition challenged aspects of oath-taking and voting and signalled possible legal steps.
  • The BJP entered the mayoral vote with 50 of 101 wards and reached a working majority by enlisting an independent; the nominee was chosen after days of internal deliberations that had also considered retired DGP R. Sreelekha, who was later reported as unhappy.
  • The party named G. S. Asha Nath as its deputy mayor candidate, and Rajesh pledged inclusive development across all 101 wards.
  • Statewide outcomes were mixed: the UDF won four of six municipal corporations, the LDF and BJP took one each, and Kochi elected V. K. Minimol as mayor.