BJP Makes Historic Breakthrough in Kerala, Wins Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Post

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a major political milestone in Kerala on Friday after its leader V V Rajesh was elected mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, marking the party’s first-ever victory in a municipal corporation in the state.

The BJP secured control of the 101-member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation by winning 50 wards, ending nearly four decades of rule by the Left Democratic Front (LDF). In the mayoral election, Rajesh received 51 votes, including the backing of an Independent councillor. LDF candidate P Sivaji polled 29 votes, while United Democratic Front (UDF) nominee K S Sabarinathan secured 19 votes, with two votes later declared invalid.

Rajesh was later sworn in as mayor of the state capital, calling for inclusive development across all wards.

“We will move forward together, taking everyone along. Development programmes will be implemented in all 101 wards with equal treatment,” Rajesh said, adding that his goal was to transform Thiruvananthapuram into one of India’s leading cities.

BJP Leadership Hails Landmark Win

Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the civic victory marked the beginning of long-overdue urban reforms in the capital.

“For the last 45 years, even basic civic issues such as drainage, water supply and waste management were ignored. Our work to develop Thiruvananthapuram starts today,” Chandrasekhar said.

Senior BJP leaders, including former Union minister V Muraleedharan and former state BJP president K Surendran, were present at the corporation office during the mayoral election.

Mixed Results Across Kerala Corporations

While the BJP celebrated its breakthrough in Thiruvananthapuram, the UDF emerged dominant across the state, winning four of Kerala’s six municipal corporations. The LDF and BJP won one corporation each.

• In Kollam Corporation, UDF’s A K Hafeez was elected mayor.
• In Kochi Corporation, UDF councillor V K Minimol secured the mayoral post.
• Thrissur Corporation elected Dr Niji Justin of the UDF as mayor, though dissent emerged within the council over allegations of internal unfairness.
• In Kozhikode Corporation, the LDF won a majority of wards, while Kannur Corporation is set to have a UDF mayor.

Other Key Political Developments

Another significant development was reported from Pala Municipality, where 21-year-old Diya Binu Pulikkankandam was elected chairperson with UDF support, becoming the youngest municipal chairperson in the state. Her victory ended the long-standing dominance of Kerala Congress (Mani) in Pala.

Apart from Thiruvananthapuram, the BJP also registered victories in the municipalities of Tripunithura and Palakkad, indicating gradual electoral expansion ahead of the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.