Political drama in Thiruvananthapuram: Sreelekha’s resignation leaves Corporation rule hanging in balance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former DGP R Sreelekha, who has accused the BJP of repeatedly sidelining her, has put the party in a difficult position by deciding to resign as a Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor. The BJP, which runs the Corporation with the support of an independent councillor, has begun efforts to persuade Sreelekha to withdraw her decision.

Sreelekha handed over her resignation letter to the Mayor on September 30. In a WhatsApp message to voters in her ward, she said she would submit the resignation to the District Collector and the Corporation Secretary on Sunday. She cited personal reasons for her decision. The message was later withdrawn.

The BJP has 50 councillors in the 101-member Corporation. Of these, R Sugathan is currently in jail in a KAAPA case. If Sreelekha resigns, the BJP’s Corporation administration, which it secured after a long wait, could face a crisis. The party could also face a no-confidence motion. The LDF has 29 seats, and the UDF has 20, while the remaining two seats are held by independents.

Sreelekha, the state’s first woman DGP, was fielded from Sasthamangalam after being promised the Mayor’s post. However, after the BJP came to power, V V Rajesh was made Mayor. She was later fielded in the Vattiyoorkavu Assembly constituency but finished third. Sreelekha had then alleged that she did not receive the party’s votes. She was also reportedly expecting to be appointed a member of the National Commission for Women, but that did not happen. She is also the BJP state vice-president. If she resigns, the party will have to face a by-election in the ward within six months.

Before the resignation is handed over to the Secretary...

Councillors are required to submit their resignation letters to the Corporation Secretary. The fact that Sreelekha has not yet done so has given the BJP an opportunity to try to resolve the issue. BJP central and state leaders, along with the Mayor, are making efforts to persuade her.

State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar spoke to Sreelekha over the phone from Delhi on Saturday and began efforts to resolve the issue. He will reach Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday for discussions. The party expects the issue to be settled through the talks. Sreelekha withdrew the WhatsApp message announcing her resignation soon after Rajeev Chandrasekhar called her. Meanwhile, rumours have also surfaced that she may join the Congress.

“There will be no crisis for the BJP in running the Corporation. Sreelekha has cited personal reasons. The party will intervene and resolve the issue.”
- V V Rajesh, Mayor