Sources say the RSS played a pivotal role in pushing Rajesh’s name, arguing that the capital city corporation requires an experienced hand capable of withstanding sustained political pressure from the Left and the Congress.
Published Dec 25, 2025 | 7:32 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 25, 2025 | 7:32 PM
BJP-led NDA picked V.V. Rajesh as mayoral candidate, sidelining R. Sreelekha.
Synopsis: The BJP has named senior councillor and State party secretary VV Rajesh as its candidate for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation mayoral election, prioritising his experience and acceptability across various factions over former State Police Chief R Sreelekha, who until the final moments was considered the favourite.
The BJP-led NDA in Kerala has picked senior councillor and State party secretary VV Rajesh as its candidate for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation mayoral election to be held on Friday, 26 December.
The decision, announced by BJP State general secretary S Suresh on Thursday, came after intense internal deliberations and last-minute interventions by party factions. The pick has come as a surprise since former State Police Chief R Sreelekha was widely believed to have been a favourite until a day earlier.
A seasoned party organiser, Rajesh is one of the BJP’s most recognisable faces in the State capital and is currently serving his second term as councillor from Kodunganoor.
Sources say the RSS played a pivotal role in pushing Rajesh’s name, arguing that the capital city corporation requires an experienced hand capable of withstanding sustained political pressure from the Left and the Congress.
The mayor’s post in politically charged Thiruvananthapuram involves dealing with frequent agitations, administrative challenges and a combative Opposition. Thus, Rajesh’s experience was seen as crucial.
He is also viewed as a bridge-builder within the party and beyond. He has been actively involved in outreach initiatives across communities and is known for hosting meetings and facilitating dialogue, including interactions between BJP leaders such as Prakash Javadekar and the Christian community.
This ability to engage across social and religious lines added weight to his candidature.
Importantly, Rajesh enjoys wide acceptability across party factions. Internal sources told South First that the V Muraleedharan faction intervened strongly at the last moment in his favour, arguing that he was best placed to keep the organisation united at a sensitive juncture.
With the BJP having won 50 of the 101 seats in the corporation at the recent local body polls, the leadership felt the mayor should be someone with deep roots in the party’s local organisation.
After prolonged discussions, including an emergency meeting attended by district president Karamana Jayan, Rajesh, Sreelekha and district general secretary Pappanamcode Saji, the central leadership approved Rajesh’s name, citing his “wider acceptance”.
R Sreelekha’s failure to secure the ticket ultimately points to the BJP’s attempts to balance optics with ground realities.
Kerala’s first woman Director General of Police, she entered politics soon after retirement and quickly made her mark by winning from the elite Sasthamangalam ward, defeating CPI(M) candidate Amrita R by 708 votes.
Her clean image, administrative credibility and visibility, especially among women and the bureaucratic class, were initially seen as assets that could give the BJP an electoral edge.
Party chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar reportedly backed her strongly and submitted only her name to the central leadership. However, resistance from within the organisation steadily mounted.
A section of party workers is believed to have written directly to the central leadership expressing dissent, triggering a rethink.
The RSS in particular raised concerns over Sreelekha’s lack of political experience, questioning whether she could endure prolonged protests and confrontational politics from the LDF and the UDF. “She is not a seasoned politician,” sources quoted RSS functionaries as saying.
Factional considerations also worked against her. Some leaders felt that elevating a recent entrant over long-time organisers would send the wrong message within the party.
There was also discomfort over the optics of appointing a former DGP as deputy mayor, effectively closing off that option as well. Sources said she has instead been assured a more winnable Assembly seat in the upcoming elections.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
