Published Jun 26, 2026 | 10:17 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 26, 2026 | 10:17 PM
The Kerala HC declared invalid the oath taken by 20 BJP councillors of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and a member of Vadakkenchery gram panchayat
Synopsis: A number game is on in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation after the Kerala High Court ruled as invalid the oath of office taken by 20 BJP councillors. Following the High Court, 19 of them retook the oath, but one BJP councillor could not since he has been arrested and jailed under KAAPA. Meanwhile, the UDF is planning to move a no-confidence motion, though it lacks enough strength in the council to upset the NDA applecart.
The BJP’s 2025 victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation was celebrated nationally, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing it as “a watershed moment in Kerala politics.”
Six months later, however, the BJP-led NDA administration is facing a political test, with the United Democratic Front (UDF) planning a no-confidence motion amid mounting legal and political challenges.
Former MLA and Congress Parliamentary Party leader in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council, KS Sabarinadhan, told South First that the UDF has decided to move a no-confidence motion against the NDA-led body, alleging administrative paralysis and a failure to address key civic issues.
He said the UDF will stage a protest in front of the Corporation office on Monday, 29 June. The front will initiate further steps to move the no-confidence motion after the protest, he added.
The NDA has been governing the 101-member council with the backing of an independent councillor.
However, its effective strength has been reduced after Vazhottukonam Councillor R Sugathan was jailed under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). His continued absence could further weaken the ruling front if it results in the loss of his council seat.
With the UDF lacking the numbers, the fate of the motion is expected to depend largely on the LDF’s stand. The no-confidence motion needs the signature of one-third councillors for it to be allowed. The UDF does not have the required number of 33.
The NDA, which won 50 seats in the December 2025 elections, has the support of independent Councillor Pattoor Radhakrishnan representing Kannammoola. The LDF has 29 members, while the UDF has 19.
Another independent, Poundukulam Councillor Sudheesh Kumar, is backing the LDF. The NDA needs the support of 51 councillors to stay in power.
Also Read: BJP faces legitimacy battle in Thiruvananthapuram
Speaking to South First, LDF Parliamentary Party leader in the Corporation Council, SP Deepak, said the front has not yet decided on developments regarding the UDF’s proposed no-confidence motion.
He said the BJP administration has failed to address several civic issues, including the lack of safe drinking water. Several development projects initiated by the previous LDF administration have not been continued, affecting the functioning of the Corporation, he claimed.
Deepak also said the LDF is not considering any possibility of joining hands with the UDF at this stage, even if the BJP faces major political challenges.
Meanwhile, Mayor VV Rajesh asserted that the Corporation council meeting will take place as scheduled on 29 June.
Addressing a press conference, Rajesh said the BJP has no concerns about any move by the Opposition and is prepared to face a no-confidence motion if it is brought before the council.
He expressed confidence that the party would complete its term heading the civic body.
Also Read: HC invalidates 20 BJP councillors’ oath at Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
The BJP-led administration has been under pressure since the Kerala High Court invalidated the oath administered to 20 BJP councillors on 21 December and directed them to take a fresh oath.
Nineteen BJP councillors retook their oath on Wednesday, 24 June, while councillor Sugathan, currently lodged in the high-security Viyyur Central Jail, was absent. The court has granted him four weeks to complete the process.
The LDF argued that the invalidation of the original oath-taking nullified all subsequent decisions involving the 20 councillors, including the elections of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Standing Committee members.
The CPI(M) has plans to approach the High Court seeking the annulment of the Deputy Mayor’s election.
The political standoff turned ugly on Thursday, 25 June, when LDF councillors protested outside the mayor’s office, demanding Sugathan’s removal following the Home Department’s approval of KAAPA proceedings against him.
The protest turned violent when LDF councillors blocked Mayor Rajesh from entering his office, leading to pushing and shoving between BJP and LDF councillors.
Several councillors, including women, reportedly sustained injuries.
The Museum Police registered a case and a counter-case following the clash. Rajesh, Deputy Mayor Asha Nath and several councillors from both sides have been named as accused in separate FIRs.
The first FIR said the BJP councillors assembled unlawfully and attacked LDF members protesting outside the mayor’s office. The complaint alleged that Mayor Rajesh assaulted CPI(M) Kattaikonam Councillor Sindhu Sasi, causing her to fall and suffer a head injury that required suturing.
Several other councillors were also reported to be injured.
The BJP councillors were booked under various provisions of the BNS, including unlawful assembly, rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint and use of obscene language in a public place.
A counter-case was registered on the BJP’s complaint against five LDF councillors. The FIR alleged that the accused prevented Mayor Rajesh from proceeding to his office, assaulted him and other BJP councillors, and threatened councillor Sruthi SS.
The LDF councillors were booked for unlawful assembly, rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation and wrongful restraint.
The BJP is expected to approach the High Court seeking permission for Sugathan, whose multiple bail pleas were rejected, to take the oath.
Meanwhile, Rajesh said the Corporation would pursue legal remedies to ensure the completion of the oath-taking process.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
