The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation faced turmoil as clashes broke out between BJP and Opposition Councillors, resulting in injuries to a female Councillor. The chaos unfolded when BJP leader and Corporation Mayor V.V. Rajesh tried to enter the office amidst protests by LDF Councillors demanding BJP Councillors’ resignation. The LDF alleged irregularities in the oath-taking of 19 BJP Councillors, leading to a siege on the Mayor’s office.
The situation escalated as LDF Councillors blocked Mayor Rajesh’s entry, prompting a physical altercation between the political factions. Police struggled to control the escalating tensions within the Corporation premises. CPI-M Councillor Sindhu Sasi suffered a head injury during the clash and was promptly hospitalized. BJP leaders claimed injuries to several of their Councillors and the Mayor during the confrontation.
Mayor Rajesh, after gaining access to the office, criticized the Opposition for what he termed as hooliganism and questioned the LDF’s authority to obstruct an elected Mayor’s duties. The recent Kerala High Court ruling invalidated the oaths of 20 BJP Councillors who had initially sworn in the names of deities and martyrs, leading to a re-administration of oaths. Both the LDF and UDF raised concerns over the procedural flaws in the re-oath ceremony, demanding fresh elections for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions.
The dispute, originally a legal matter, has now evolved into a significant political standoff, with Left Councillors engaging in a protest strike at the Corporation office.
