Published Oct 04, 2026 | 4:24 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 04, 2026 | 4:25 PM
BJP leaders have attributed her reported decision to resign to health-related reasons.
Synopsis: Former DGP and Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor R. Sreelekha has reportedly reconsidered her decision to resign amid speculation of an internal BJP rift. The party has denied that she resigned, attributing the issue to health concerns. Meanwhile, Congress has denied an alleged ‘Operation Kaipathi’ to bring her into the party.
Averting a major embarrassment for the BJP after its much-celebrated win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, former DGP and councillor R. Sreelekha is learnt to have backed off from her reported decision to resign amid an alleged rift with the party.
It was initially reported that Sreelekha had submitted her resignation letter to Mayor V.V. Rajesh, following which senior party leaders met her and persuaded her to withdraw her resignation.
However, it has since emerged that Sreelekha had not submitted an official resignation letter. Instead, she informed her ward’s WhatsApp group that she had sent the letter to Mayor V.V. Rajesh and would forward copies to the District Collector and the Corporation Secretary.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar was among the senior leaders who held discussions with Sreelekha, allegedly prompting her to change her mind.
Sreelekha is yet to officially comment on the reports. She is currently hospitalised, while BJP leaders have attributed her reported decision to resign to health-related reasons.
Sharing a picture on Facebook from his visit to the hospital to meet Sreelekha, BJP state general secretary S. Suresh said reports of her resignation were incorrect and that her only concern was whether she would be able to discharge her duties due to health issues.
“She has been experiencing some physical discomfort for the past few days. Because of this, she felt an anxiety and concern about whether she would be able to properly discharge her duties as a public representative, and she simply brought this to the attention of those closest to her. Unfortunately, this became a subject of media discussion. The news that R. Sreelekha has resigned is incorrect,” he wrote.
However, the opposition parties, both Congress and CPI(M) have claimed that the developments reflected an internal rift within the BJP.
There is also growing speculation among BJP cadres that Sreelekha could join the Congress. The speculation comes amid claims that there had been attempts to bring her into the Congress fold as part of an alleged “Operation Kaipathi” (Operation Hasta).
However, speaking to South First, Sandeep Warrier, a former BJP leader and current Congress MLA from Kasaragod, denied that any such operation was underway. He said it would be undemocratic for political parties to conduct such operations to attract leaders from other parties.
At the same time, Warrier said the Congress would welcome Sreelekha if she was interested in joining the party and willing to accept and uphold its secular ideology.
Congress sources say the party is exploring ways to gain control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation amid the BJP’s ongoing struggles to manage the council. These challenges include issues surrounding councillor Sugathan, who faces multiple criminal cases and is currently under preventive detention under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).
According to sources, the Congress views these developments as an opportunity to question the BJP’s ability to ensure the stable functioning of the Corporation, alleging that the BJP-led council has led to administrative paralysis.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
