Archive · 4 Oct 2026
R Sreelekha Resigns as Thiruvananthapuram BJP Councillor
R. Sreelekha, a former senior police officer, said she was resigning from her elected seat in Thiruvananthapuram.
She gave her letter to Mayor V. V. Rajesh on September 30 and cited personal inconveniences.
The Corporation Secretary, who is supposed to receive the letter, had not received it.
Rajesh said he was trying to resolve the matter and that the party had not promised anyone a job or post.
Some reports said Sreelekha was disappointed that she was not made mayor.
Opposition leaders criticized the city’s leadership, while Congress minister K. Muraleedharan called the resignation a drama for personal gains.
Reports also said she may have withdrawn the resignation, but the articles do not confirm that.
If it is accepted, the BJP would have 49 councillors in the 101-member council.
R Sreelekha tendered her Sasthamangalam councillor resignation to Mayor V. V. Rajesh on September 30, citing personal inconveniences.
Rajesh said the Corporation Secretary, the official authority to receive the resignation, had not received it and that he was trying to resolve the matter.
Reports linked the resignation to Sreelekha not being made mayor, but Rajesh denied the party had promised anyone a post.
If accepted, the resignation would reduce the BJP’s strength to 49 in the 101-member Corporation; reports gave differing totals for its current support.
Congress minister K. Muraleedharan called the resignation a drama for personal gains, while LDF and UDF leaders criticized the Corporation’s governance.
- Who
- R. Sreelekha, BJP councillor for Sasthamangalam, and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V. V. Rajesh.
- What
- Sreelekha tendered her resignation to the mayor; the Corporation Secretary had not received it.
- When
- She submitted it on September 30; reports dated October 3 covered the resignation.
- Where
- Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Kerala.
- Why
- Sreelekha cited personal reasons or inconveniences. Reports also linked the move to her not being made mayor, but she did not state that as her reason.
Opposition and Congress criticism
BJP response
Meaning and handling of the resignation
Opposition and Congress criticism
K. Muraleedharan called the resignation a drama for personal gains, arguing it should have been submitted to the Corporation Secretary. LDF and UDF leaders portrayed it as evidence of governance problems and internal BJP discord.
BJP response
Mayor V. V. Rajesh said Sreelekha cited personal inconveniences, denied that a controversy lay behind the move, and said he was trying to resolve it amicably.
Whether Sreelekha was promised the mayoralty or another post
Opposition and Congress criticism
Reports said she had been projected as the party’s mayoral candidate and that her not receiving the post caused disappointment; Muraleedharan alleged the resignation was an attempt to secure a party position.
BJP response
Rajesh said the party had not promised anyone a post and assigned roles according to where its workers could best serve society.
- Ward
- Sasthamangalam
- Resignation submitted
- September 30, to Mayor V. V. Rajesh
- Stated reason
- Personal reasons or inconveniences
- Resignation status
- The Corporation Secretary had not received the letter; Rajesh said he had not forwarded it.
- Council size
- 101 members
- Possible BJP strength if accepted
- 49 councillors
- Current BJP support
- Reports differ: one gives 50 councillors, while another says 51, including an Independent.
- Reported next step
- Party sources said a copy would be submitted to the District Collector on October 5.
