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V.V. Rajesh Sworn In as Thiruvananthapuram Mayor in Kerala’s First BJP-Led Corporation

The victory hinged on a single independent councillor, giving the BJP a working majority of 51 in the 101-member council.

Overview

  • Rajesh won the mayoral vote 51–29–17, defeating the LDF’s R. P. Sivaji and the UDF’s K. S. Sabarinathan, with two UDF ballots invalidated and one councillor abstaining.
  • The BJP holds 50 of 101 wards in the corporation, ending more than four decades of Left dominance in the state capital’s civic body.
  • Independent councillor M. Radhakrishnan backed Rajesh, and District Collector–Returning Officer Anu Kumari administered the oath of office.
  • The BJP named G. S. Asha Nath as its deputy mayor nominee following internal deliberations that sidelined former DGP R. Sreelekha, who was reported to be unhappy.
  • The CPI(M) raised objections over oath and voting procedures and signaled possible legal steps, as a bypoll in the Vizhinjam ward remains pending.