Violent clashes broke out between the councilors from the BJP and the Congress-led UDF during the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation council meeting on Monday. The scuffle took place immediately after the meeting concluded, centering on a dramatic tug-of-war over the official council attendance register and minutes book
The meeting started under intense strain as both the Opposition CPM-le LDF and Congress-led UDF staged fierce protests demanding the removal of BJP councilor R. Sugathan, who is currently held at Viyyur Central Prison after being arrested under KAAPA (Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act).
Congress councilors alleged that the ruling BJP administration hastily passed all council agenda items amidst Opposition protests and abruptly ended the meeting. As the meeting concluded, Congress Parliamentary Party leader K.S. Sabarinadhan went to sign and inspect the attendance register.
At this time, a group of BJP councilors led by BJP councilor Chempazhanthi Udayan went to him demanding the register. The verbal exchange later escalated into a fistfight, sparking a physical scuffle between BJP and UDF councilors as individuals simultaneously attempted to tear up and destroy the register. UDF councilors alleged that BJP councilors physically snatched and attempted to tear the document to prevent them from using it
The Opposition LDF and UDF claimed that the BJP deliberately tried to destroy or manipulate the attendance records to aid a legal case involving jailed BJP councilor R. Sugathan. Sugathan, who was arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), faces disqualification if he remains absent from four consecutive council meetings.
Following the confrontation, Congress leader KS Sabinadhan stated to the media that BJP councilor Chempazhanthy Udayan and others physically assaulted UDF representatives, including women councilors.
The UDF claims its female councilors were victims of an unprovoked attack during the clash, and the affected councilors announced plans to pursue legal action after consulting party leadership. Meanwhile, the BJP accused Sabrinath of attempting to alter the register, alleging that the UDF was operating as a “B-team” for the CPM.