Forty-nine-year-old V.V. Rajesh is on track to make history by becoming the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader to hold the position of Mayor in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. This marks a significant moment in the city’s political landscape. The BJP’s success in the recent local body elections paved the way for Rajesh’s anticipated victory.
During a meeting at the BJP office, the party’s general secretary, S. Suresh, expressed confidence in all the winning councillors, stating that each one is capable of assuming the roles of Mayor and deputy Mayor. Rajesh, with a political career dating back to 1996, is the chosen mayoral candidate, while Asha Nath, a three-term councillor, is set to be the deputy Mayor candidate.
The BJP’s triumph in securing 50 out of the 100 wards in the elections has positioned Rajesh favorably for the mayoral election. Both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) have announced their candidates, but Rajesh’s victory seems imminent. The BJP’s victory in wresting control of the civic body from the CPI(M) after nearly 45 years underscores the party’s growing influence in the region.
State BJP leaders engaged in extensive discussions before finalizing Rajesh as the mayoral candidate, a decision that received backing from the party’s national leadership. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) played a pivotal role in supporting Rajesh, leading to his selection as the consensus choice. Rajesh’s impending appointment as Mayor signifies a breakthrough for the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram and a notable shift in the city’s political dynamics.
