Sreelekha said the promise of making her the Mayor was honoured till the final stages, but was altered suddenly after the election results.
Published Jan 05, 2026 | 2:24 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 05, 2026 | 2:24 PM
R Sreelekha.
Synopsis: Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Councillor R Sreelekha openly criticised the BJP leadership for backing out of its promise to make her the mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. She alleged that the decision was changed at the last minute after the elections.
BJP Kerala Vice-President and Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Councillor R Sreelekha, on Monday, 5 January, openly criticised the party leadership for backing out of its promise to make her the mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) alleged that the decision was changed at the last minute after the elections.
Speaking to a media outlet — The Kerala Today 24×7 — Sreelekha said she agreed to contest the civic polls only after being assured that she would be made the mayor and projected as the face of the BJP’s campaign in the state capital.
On 26 December, VV Rajesh took the oath of office as Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the first time in Kerala’s electoral politics that the BJP is heading a corporation.
Sreelekha said the promise was honoured till the final stages, but was altered suddenly after the election results.
“I was not fielded to become a councillor. I had initially refused to contest. I agreed only after being told that I would be the face of the election and would be made the mayor,” Sreelekha said.
“Till the last minute, it was conveyed that I would take charge as mayor. However, for some reason, the situation changed after the elections.”
Sreelekha said she believes the BJP’s central leadership eventually felt that Rajesh would be better suited as mayor and Ashanath as deputy mayor.
“When the central leadership takes such a decision, I cannot oppose it by saying ‘no’. There are many people here who worked hard and made me win. Out of sincerity and loyalty to them, I will continue as a councillor for five years,” she said.
The senior BJP leader also clarified that although she was dissatisfied with the manner in which the decision was taken, she has accepted the leadership’s call.
“Politics is a space where interests can change. The leadership must have felt that this arrangement would work better for the corporation. Let it happen,” she added.
Sreelekha’s remarks come amid reports that she left the venue before the oath-taking ceremony of Mayor Rajesh and Deputy Mayor Ashanath concluded.
While she had earlier denied that her exit was linked to discontent, she later came out in the open expressing dissatisfaction over being dropped from the mayoral post.
She further said that her role during the campaign went far beyond that of an ordinary candidate. “Initially, I was told to work and ensure the victory of candidates in 10 wards. Later, they asked me to contest. I agreed only after being assured of the mayor’s post,” she said.
Responding to a question on whether the party had suggested her name for the Vattiyoorkavu Assembly constituency, Sreelekha clarified that she has no interest in contesting the Assembly elections.
Although the BJP initially felt that projecting Sreelekha could offer an electoral advantage, internal opposition eventually led to the decision in favour of Rajesh.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
