NDA finalises V V Rajesh as Thiruvananthapuram Mayor; Asha Nath likely to replace R Sreelekha for deputy mayor post

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The NDA has finalised the name of V V Rajesh for the mayoral post of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. R Sreelekha will not be the deputy mayor either. Till this morning, the name of Sreelekha was heard for the mayoral post. However, it was with the intervention of the RSS that V V Rajesh's name came under active consideration. The central leadership then proposed Rajesh's name. There are hints that Asha Nath is likely to replace Sreelekha for the deputy mayor post.

A section of leaders was against the appointment of R Sreelekha as mayor. They had filed a complaint with the central leadership on the issue. The organization's general secretary S Suresh and Thiruvananthapuram city district president Karamana Jayan had visited Sreelekha at her home urgently.

There were indications till this morning that former DGP R Sreelekha would become the mayor. Priority was given for her in the final phase of discussions in the BJP.

It was assessed that the state's first woman IPS officer becoming the mayor would benefit the party, including in the assembly elections. Rajesh’s name was heard after a section of leaders expressed their opposition in choosing the former DGP as the mayor.