Published Oct 03, 2026 | 2:11 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 03, 2026 | 2:11 PM
R Sreelekha.
Synopsis: The resignation comes amid reports of growing differences between Sreelekha and the BJP leadership. Her reported dissatisfaction over being denied the Mayor’s post is understood to have contributed to the decision. While, Corporation officials said the councillor had “announced” her resignation and no formal communication has been initiated from her side, if Sreelekha remains steadfast in her resignation then BJP-led NDA will lost its absolute majority in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council.
The BJP’s administration in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has been plunged into uncertainty with former DGP and Sasthamangalam councillor R. Sreelekha resigning from the council.
Sreelekha submitted her resignation to Mayor VV Rajesh, dealing a fresh setback to the BJP, which assumed control of the Corporation with a wafer-thin majority of just one seat.
The BJP currently depends on the support of an independent councillor to sustain its administration.
The resignation comes amid reports of growing differences between Sreelekha and the BJP leadership. Her reported dissatisfaction over being denied the Mayor’s post is understood to have contributed to the decision.
Also Read: BJP councilor R Sreelekha opts out of PM-hosted Delhi visit
Sreelekha announced her resignation in the WhatsApp Group created for Sasthamangalam ward. She cited ‘personal reasons’ for her resignation. As per it, she submitted her resignation on 30 September to Mayor VV Rajesh, and a copy of it will be submitted to Thiruvananthapuram District Collector on Monday, 5 October.
Mayor V V Rajesh while confirming that he received a letter from Sreelekha, however added that resignation will have to be given to the Corporation Secretary.
He also added that Sreelekha has shared some issues with him and he along with the party is sorting out the same.
Sreelekha, a former Director General of Police, had contested the Assembly election from Vattiyoorkavu as the BJP candidate but finished third. There had also been criticism within the party over her electoral performance and allegations that she had failed to secure the expected level of support.
In January, Sreelekha, who is also BJP state vice president openly criticised the party leadership for backing out of its promise to make her the mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, alleging that the decision was changed at the last minute after the elections.
Speaking to a media outlet – TheKeralaToday 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.
She 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 later, however, said she believes the BJP’s central leadership eventually felt that V.V. 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.
During the oath taking ceremony also she grabbed headlines as she left the venue before the oath-taking ceremony of Mayor V.V. Rajesh and Deputy Mayor Ashanath concluded.
BJP sources said that the district and state leadership is already in the process of pacifying Sreelekha.
As she handover the letter on 30 September, the party leadership is in touch with her.
They also pointed out that she actually provided a window of opportunity as the resignation was handover to the Mayor and not to the secretary. This, the party sources said, is for deliberation.
Corporation officials said the councillor had “announced” her resignation and no formal communication has been initiated from her side.
As per Section 40 of the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994, a municipal councillor must tender their resignation to the Secretary of the Municipality (or Corporation Secretary).
In this case, the letter mentioning the resignation will not be considered as formal resignation.
According to an official, the councillor may resign her office by tendering resignation to the Secretary in the form prescribed and the resignation shall take effect from the date of its receipt by the Secretary and the Secretary shall report the fact forthwith to the Council and to the State Election Commission.
“The councillor who resigns her office may, either tender her resignation directly or send through registered post if such resignation letter is attested by a Gazetted Officer, as the case may be, to the Secretary and the Secretary shall acknowledge receipt of the same. That’s the law. In this case, no such developments are there. Maybe she is issuing a warning shot to the party leadership to address the alleged concerns that she had,” said the official.
If Sreelekha remains steadfast in her resignation then BJP-led NDA will lost its absolute majority in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council.
The NDA had held 51 seats, including the support of an independent councillor. If Sreelekha formally steps down, the BJP’s tally will fallen to 49, taking the NDA’s total strength to 50. The development will leave the BJP one short of the halfway mark in the council.
Adding to the party’s immediate numerical challenge, one of its 49 councillors is currently in jail, R Sugathan in connection with KAPPA case.
Opposition benches – CPI(M) and Congress led fronts will plan to come out with no-confidence motions.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
