Mayor among BJP, CPI(M) councillors booked after clash at Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

Published 26 June 2026 · india

The police on Friday (June 26, 2026) registered separate cases against BJP councillors, including Mayor V.V. Rajesh, and CPI(M) ward members following a clash at

The police on Friday (June 26, 2026) registered separate cases against BJP councillors, including Mayor V.V. Rajesh, and CPI(M) ward members following a clash at the City Corporation office in Thiruvananthapuram a day ago, officials said. Based on a complaint lodged by CPI(M) councillor Sindhu Sasi, a case was registered against Mr. Rajesh, Deputy Mayor Asha Nath and BJP councillors Girikumar, Jaya Rajeev, Madhu, Gopan, Sumi Balu, R C Beena, Manju and Sruthy, the police said. Similarly, based on a complaint lodged by BJP councillor Sruthy S S, a case was registered against CPI(M) councillors SP Deepak, Rakhi Ravikumar, Chellamangalam Arun, Venugopal and Renjith, officials said. The Museum police registered the cases under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those relating to unlawful assembly, rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult and wrongful restraint.

Police officials said the statements of the injured councillors had been recorded and an investigation was underway. CPI(M) and BJP councillors clashed outside the chamber of the Mayor on Thursday. Sugathan’s resignation sought The CPI(M) has been demanding the resignation of BJP councillor R Sugathan, who was recently arrested in an assault case and booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). The protest also came a day after the Kerala High Court invalidated the oath taken by several BJP councillors after they invoked names other than “God” or used expressions beyond the prescribed form of oath or solemn affirmation. The CPI(M) has also alleged that the fresh oath taken by the BJP councillors following the High Court order was not in accordance with the prescribed procedure. However, when Mr. Rajesh, accompanied by BJP councillors, attempted to enter his office, CPI(M) councillors allegedly blocked his entry, triggering a brief scuffle between members of the two sides, the police said.

Several councillors, including the Mayor, sustained injuries in the clash and were shifted to hospital, the police added. The incident also triggered protests in various parts of Thiruvananthapuram. The BJP-led NDA assumed power in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in December 2025, ending the LDF’s 45-year rule by winning 50 of the 101 seats. Govindan slams V.V. Rajesh Meanwhile, CPI(M) State secretary M V Govindan accused the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor Asha of triggering the confrontation. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he claimed the confrontation began when the Mayor and Deputy Mayor entered the area where CPI(M) councillors were staging a protest. He alleged that Mr. Rajesh and BJP councillors pushed through the protesters to enter the Mayor’s office, resulting in injuries to several CPI(M) councillors. “Councillors suffered injuries, including head injuries. Later, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor also went to hospital claiming they were victims.