A political dispute in Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram, has intensified as BJP ward councillor R. Sreelekha and CPI-M MLA V.K. Prasanth engage in a war of words. The conflict originated from the recent Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections, where the BJP’s victory ended the long-standing CPI(M)-led Left rule.
Former Kerala Police Director General of Police (DGP) Sreelekha placed her name board above MLA Prasanth’s at their local office, sparking controversy over political hierarchy and protocol. The disagreement revolves around the ownership and use of the Sasthamangalam office, a recurring point of contention between the two leaders.
By positioning her name board above the MLA’s, Sreelekha is seen as challenging political norms and asserting dominance beyond mere signage. The dispute stems from Prasanth using the office space owned by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, despite having an allotted space at the legislators’ hostel. The incident gained public attention after Sreelekha shared images of the name board on social media, igniting debates on authority and decorum in public spaces.
The ongoing rivalry between Prasanth and Sreelekha over the Sasthamangalam office has a history of sparking political debates and drawing in party leaders and the public. Sreelekha’s response to a complaint filed against her, alleging trespass into the MLA’s office, has further fueled the conflict. She criticized the complaint, reportedly filed by a “Communist lawyer,” as an intimidation tactic. The controversy surrounding the name board and the complaint highlights how personal and political animosities can manifest in symbolic gestures that challenge traditional norms and sustain tensions.
