First 'move' after oath-taking ceremony; Mayor VV Rajesh and Asha Nath at R Sreelekha's residence

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh and Deputy Mayor Asha Nath together paid a visit to former DGP and Sasthamangalam councillor R Sreelekha at her residence on Friday. Reportedly, the visit is part of the BJP leadership's attempt to pacify Sreelekha, who is purportedly furious over missing out on the Mayor post. However, the Mayor said that the visit was part of meeting key leaders ahead of assuming office.

“We will meet more leaders in the coming days. We already held talks with Dr Sethunath about the things to be implemented in the health sector.” VV Rajesh said.

Meanwhile, there are reports that R. Sreelekha has expressed her dissatisfaction to the leadership over being ignored for the Mayor post. Sreelekha left the council hall amidst the oath-taking ceremony. The BJP had initially presented R. Sreelekha as the mayoral candidate. It is reported that some of the state office bearers had promised Sreelekha the Mayor's post.

However, intervention from RSS and a faction, including former BJP state chiefs, supporting Rajesh, ruined Sreelekha’s plan. It is reported that a few among former BJP state chiefs expressed their dissatisfaction to the central leadership about a few leaders promoting Sreelekha as the Mayor's face.