The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delivered a major political shock in Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram, winning 50 wards in the recently concluded civic elections. This result ends decades of Left dominance, with the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front securing 29 seats and the Congress-led United Democratic Front winning 19. Two wards went to independent candidates. Though the BJP fell just one seat short of an outright majority in the 101-member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the outcome marks a decisive shift in the city’s political landscape. The party now faces the task of deciding who will lead the corporation as mayor.
R Sreelekha: From DGP to political star
A standout figure in the BJP’s victory is R Sreelekha, Kerala’s first woman IPS officer. Born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, she joined the police in 1987 and served across key departments including the CBI, Kerala Crime Branch, Vigilance, Fire Force, Motor Vehicles and the Prison Department. In 2017, she became Kerala’s first female Director General of Police. During her tenure with the CBI, she earned the nickname ‘Raid Sreelekha’ for her anti-corruption operations. After retiring in December 2020, Sreelekha remained in the public eye for her outspoken comments on high-profile cases. She joined the BJP in October 2024, citing inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and maintained that she had served as a politically neutral officer throughout her career.
Landslide win in Sasthamangalam and Mayoral speculation
Sreelekha contested from the Sasthamangalam division and won by a massive margin, making her one of the most prominent faces of the BJP’s rise in the city. Her victory has sparked speculation over whether she will be chosen as Thiruvananthapuram’s first BJP mayor. On her potential mayoral nomination, Sreelekha said, ‘I have come to know that no candidate has secured such a lead in the Sasthamangalam ward before….we thank the people for the verdict.’ Former BJP district president VV Rajesh is another contender, but both leaders said the final decision on the mayor’s post will rest with the party.
This historic civic election signals a major political realignment in Thiruvananthapuram and positions Sreelekha as a central figure in the BJP’s growing influence in Kerala.
