The State Election Commission (SEC) on Wednesday ordered the removal of the “IPS” tag from the posters of former Director General of Police (DGP) R Sreelekha, who is contesting as the BJP candidate from the Sasthamangalam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections.
The Commission’s action followed a complaint filed by Aam Aadmi Party candidate T. S. Rashmi, who argued that it is illegal to use “IPS” alongside Sreelekha’s name after her retirement from service.
Following the directive, the “IPS” title printed next to former DGP R Sreelekha’s name has been removed from BJP campaign materials. BJP workers subsequently added the word “retired” to posters and boards displayed in some areas, modifying it to read “Sreelekha, retired IPS.”
Sreelekha, a retired Director General of Police, is being projected by the BJP as its mayoral candidate for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Responding to the development, Sreelekha said the removal of the “IPS” tag would not affect her campaign, stating that “everyone knows me.”