Former Kerala DGP R Sreekakha resigns as Thiruvananthapuram councillor

Former DGP and BJP councillor R Sreekakha has resigned from her post in the Sasthamangalam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, dealing a major blow to the party running the civic body with the support of a single independent. She handed over her resignation letter to Mayor V V Rajesh and stated it was due to personal reasons, while also informing a WhatsApp group that she would submit a formal letter to the collector on Monday.

Party Reaction

BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar will hold direct talks with Sreekakha to persuade her to withdraw the decision. Mayor V V Rajesh confirmed receiving the letter citing personal inconveniences, noting that party leadership is intervening to resolve the issue while pointing out that the resignation letter should properly be submitted to the corporation secretary. Deputy Mayor Asha Nath stated that she learned of the resignation through the media and was unaware of any issues.

Background

Reports indicate Sreekakha had been facing disagreements with the party leadership after not being given the mayor's post despite being projected as the mayoral face during the local body election campaign, leading to V V Rajesh being chosen instead. She had also contested the assembly election from Vattiyoorkavu as a BJP candidate but finished third amid complaints of failing to secure expected votes. According to Mathrubhumi, her exit leaves the BJP with only 49 votes including one independent in the 100-member corporation, while councillor Sugathan cannot vote as he is currently in jail under the KAAPA act. A by-election must now be held in the vacant ward within the next six months, setting up a major battleground to test public support for both ruling and opposition parties.

Context

Local body by-elections in major municipal corporations often become high-stakes political battlegrounds that test the governing party's mid-term popularity. When ruling parties hold power by very slim margins, the loss of even a single councillor can dramatically shift the balance of power and force intense coalition management.