Din outside Thiruvananthapuram Mayor’s office as LDF, BJP councillors clash

Published 25 June 2026 · india

The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation premises witnessed high drama on Thursday as the Left Democratic Front (LDF) intensified its protest demanding the resignation of the Mayor and

The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation premises witnessed high drama on Thursday as the Left Democratic Front (LDF) intensified its protest demanding the resignation of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor in connection with the oath-taking controversy, with a scuffle breaking out between LDF and BJP councillors. The Kerala High Court had on Wednesday directed 20 councillors of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Corporation to retake their oath As Mayor V.V. Rajesh and a group of BJP councillors attempted to enter his office amid a sit-in by the LDF over the secrecy of the re-swearing-in of 19 BJP councillors, a scuffle broke out between the two sides. The LDF was also demanding the ouster of BJP councillor R. Sugathan recently arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), who was also among the councillors ordered to retake their oath.

While the protest was under way, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor arrived at the office along with BJP councillors. When the LDF councillors attempted to stop them, a fistfight broke out between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) councillors who blocked the Mayor and the BJP councillors in his support. In the ensuing melee, CPI(M) councillor Sindhu Sasi sustained injuries and was shifted to a hospital. Meanwhile, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor forcibly entered the office. Speaking to the media, Mr. Rajesh said the LDF had no right to block him from entering his office. He said such violence would not be tolerated and claimed that BJP councillors, including himself, were injured in the clash. A total of nine BJP councillors, including the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor, were admitted to the Medical College Hospital. BJP leader K.Surendran said the CPI(M) was unleashing violence as the BJP was exposing corruption during the tenure of the previous council.

When asked about previous protests of the BJP when the entrance to the Mayor’s office was blocked, Mr. Rajesh claimed that the BJP never carried out such protests. Four LDF councillors, including former Deputy Mayor Rakhee Ravikumar, were admitted to hospital. LDF Council Party leader S.P. Deepak accused the Mayor of leading an attack on the LDF councillors staging a peaceful sit-in. “The BJP councilors and some anti-social elements launched a planned attack on the protesting councilors to deliberately create tension. The Mayor and the BJP leadership have taken the stance of protecting the councillor, who is an accused in the KAAPA case, at any cost,” he said. “ The Mayor is implementing a political strategy to postpone the council meeting scheduled for June 29 and extend the meeting to another day to create a situation where-in the councillor, an accused in the KAAPA case, can get bail,” said Mr. Deepak.