In a historic political realignment for Kerala, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor VV Rajesh was elected as the Mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Friday. This marks the first time a member of the saffron party has assumed the mayoral office in the state capital, signalling a significant shift in the city's political landscape.
Rajesh, who serves as the BJP's Kerala Secretary and represents the Kodunganoor ward, secured the position with the support of 50 BJP councillors and one independent. His election came after a closely watched contest, where Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate RP Shivaji received 29 votes and United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate KS Sabarinathan secured 17 votes.
The mayoral election follows the BJP's historic performance in the recently held civic body elections, where the party emerged as the single largest party in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation by winning 50 out of 100 wards. This victory ended decades of dominance by the Left front in the capital city and introduced a vigorous triangular contest in Kerala politics.
The LDF won 29 wards, while the Congress-led UDF secured 19 wards. Polling in Thiruvananthapuram was conducted during the first phase of Kerala's civic body polls on December 9, witnessing a voter turnout of 70.91 per cent according to the State Election Commission.
In his first remarks after being elected, Mayor Rajesh struck a conciliatory and development-focused tone. "We will move forward together, taking everyone along," he stated. "Development programs will be implemented in all 101 wards, ensuring equal treatment. Thiruvananthapuram will be transformed into a developed city of the country."
His statement suggests an attempt to build a broad-based administration in a traditionally polarized political environment, emphasizing equitable development across all constituencies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the BJP's performance as a "watershed moment" in Kerala's politics. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister stated that the BJP would continue to work for Thiruvananthapuram's growth and ease the lives of its citizens.
He particularly credited the dedication of party workers: "Today is a day to recall the work and struggles of generations of Karyakartas in Kerala, who worked at the grassroots, which ensured today’s result became a reality."
The BJP's breakthrough in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation represents more than a local electoral victory—it signifies the party's expanding footprint in a state where it has historically struggled to gain political ground. The result demonstrates the party's growing organizational strength and its ability to capitalize on shifting urban political dynamics.
As the new Mayor takes office, all eyes will be on how the BJP-led corporation navigates governance in Kerala's capital, balancing its development agenda with the expectations of a diverse electorate that has traditionally favored either the LDF or UDF. The coming months will test whether this historic victory marks a temporary realignment or the beginning of a more permanent political transformation in God's Own Country.
Leave Your Comment