BJP Makes History in Kerala: VV Rajesh Becomes Thiruvananthapuram Mayor
BJP Makes History in Kerala: VV Rajesh Becomes Thiruvananthapuram Mayor
VV Rajesh sworn in as Thiruvananthapuram mayor, marking BJP's first municipal victory in Kerala and signaling a potential political shift for the capital.
In a historic moment for Kerala, BJP leader VV Rajesh was sworn in as the mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city, as the party secured its first-ever mayoral post in the state's municipal corporation. Rajesh won 51 votes in a 100-member council, with backing from 50 BJP councillors and one independent councillor. The Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Front trailed, with their mayoral candidates securing 29 and 17 votes respectively. This marks four decades of LDF dominance in the corporation coming to an end.
The oath ceremony took place at the corporation office, where Rajesh was administered the oath amid a show of party solidarity and a crowd of supporters. Senior BJP leaders, including the state president and key national figures, were present to witness the historic moment.
In his first address as mayor, Rajesh pledged to use his experience to develop all 101 wards equitably. He expressed the aim of transforming Thiruvananthapuram into one of the country’s top three cities for developmental activity over the next five years, signaling a bold roadmap for urban growth and governance.
Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar framed the shift as a correction after years of governance by the CPM and criticised the previous administration as having “run Thiruvananthapuram city to the ground” and turned the corporation into a “den of corruption.” Rajesh’s supporters saw the election as a turning point that could alter Kerala’s political landscape, while critics warned that party control would face ongoing scrutiny and resistance from opposition fronts.
This development highlights a potential reconfiguration of Kerala’s political dynamics at the local level, with voters and commentators watching closely to see how the new administration handles urban priorities, citizen services, and development projects across all wards.
