Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Kerala Local Body Members Sworn In Amid Controversy
Newly elected members of local bodies in Kerala took their oaths on Sunday, December 24, 2023.
The ceremonies began at 10 a.m.
for panchayats and municipalities, and at 11:30 a.m.
for corporations.
In Thiruvananthapuram, 100 councillors from various parties took their oaths.
However, a controversy arose when BJP councillors sang the RSS anthem 'Gana Geetham' after their oath, which was criticized by CPM members as communalizing the ceremony.
The BJP, which won the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from the LDF, is yet to select its mayor.
Elections for Mayors, Municipal Chairpersons, and other positions are scheduled for December 26 and 27.
A total of 23,573 candidates were elected in the recent local body elections.
Newly elected members of local bodies in Kerala were sworn in on December 24, 2023.
Oath-taking ceremonies began at 10 a.m. for panchayats and municipalities, and at 11:30 a.m. for corporations.
In Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, 100 councillors took their oath, with BJP councillors singing the RSS anthem 'Gana Geetham' afterward.
CPM members criticized the BJP for communalizing the ceremony, while the BJP has not responded to the controversy.
Elections for Mayors, Municipal Chairpersons, and other positions are scheduled for December 26 and 27.
- Who
- Newly elected members of local bodies in Kerala, including BJP, LDF, UDF, and Independent councillors
- What
- Oath-taking ceremonies and a controversy over the singing of the RSS anthem
- When
- December 24, 2023
- Where
- Across Kerala, India, with a focus on Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
- Why
- To formally assume office after the local body elections and to express ideological stances
BJP Councillors
CPM Councillors
RSS Anthem Singing
BJP Councillors
BJP councillors sang the RSS anthem 'Gana Geetham' after taking oath, asserting their ideological stance.
CPM Councillors
CPM members criticized the BJP for communalizing the ceremony and accused them of sabotaging the system.
- Date of Oath-Taking
- December 24, 2023
- Time for Panchayats and Municipalities
- 10 a.m.
- Time for Corporations
- 11:30 a.m.
- Term End of Outgoing Bodies
- December 23, 2023
- Mayor and Chairperson Elections
- December 26, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
- Deputy Mayor and Vice-Chairperson Elections
- December 26, 2023, at 2:30 p.m.
- Panchayat President Elections
- December 27, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
- Vice-President Elections
- December 27, 2023, at 2:30 p.m.
- Total Candidates Elected
- 23,573
- Total Councillors in Thiruvananthapuram
- 100 (out of 101 wards)
- BJP-led NDA Councillors
- 50
- LDF Councillors
- 29
- UDF Councillors
- 19
- Independent Councillors
- 2
Sources
Newly elected members sworn in across Kerala local bodies
Rajeev Chandrasekhar at Idea Exchange: ‘When entrepreneurship is booming in southern states, in Kerala there is a flight of talent. Why then will investors come?’
