In a major political development in Kerala, BJP leader V V Rajesh was sworn in as the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, becoming the first BJP mayor in the state’s history. The event marks a significant breakthrough for the party in Kerala, where civic and state politics have largely been dominated by the Left and the Congress for decades.
Rajesh’s election follows the recent Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections, where the BJP emerged as the single largest party. In the mayoral election held at the corporation council, Rajesh secured 51 votes in the 100-member council, crossing the majority mark with the support of an independent councillor. One seat remains vacant following the death of a candidate before polling.
This victory is particularly significant as it ends the 45-year rule of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state capital’s civic body. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) trailed behind, failing to form a majority.
The BJP’s success in Thiruvananthapuram is being seen as a major morale booster ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, expected next year. Senior BJP leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony, underlining the party’s focus on strengthening its presence in the state.
After taking oath, Mayor V V Rajesh said his priority would be inclusive development of the city. He assured that all 101 wards of the corporation would receive equal attention, regardless of political affiliation. He also stressed the need to improve basic civic services, infrastructure, waste management, and urban planning to make Thiruvananthapuram a better city to live in.
Rajesh, a lawyer by profession, has been active in politics for several years. He is currently a BJP state secretary and was elected councillor from the Kodunganoor ward. He had earlier contested the 2021 Kerala Assembly election from Vattiyoorkavu but lost narrowly.
The BJP’s mayoral win in Kerala’s capital is being viewed as a symbolic and strategic milestone, signalling a shift in urban voter sentiment and adding a new dimension to the state’s evolving political landscape.
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