With the BJP’s stunning victory in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, winning 50 out of 100 seats in the elections, one question that dominates the political discourse is: “Could R Sreelekha, former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP), become the saffron party’s first-ever mayor of the state capital?
The big question now is whether the BJP will pick Sreelekha to lead the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, a Left bastion for over four decades before being breached by the saffron party in the just-concluded local body polls.
It is believed that R Sreelekha’s experience as the first woman IPS officer in Kerala could be a plus point if she is considered for the top post in the city corporation. Thiruvananthapuram is one of the cities closely monitored by the BJP central leadership. Sreelekha is seen to have a strong chance, given her high profile. However, her lack of political experience could be a disadvantage.
The name of VV Rajesh, who was elected from the Kodungannoor ward, is also being actively considered for the mayor’s post. Rajesh has an upper hand, considering his long political experience and his image as the face of the BJP in the last corporation council. It is learnt that the state leadership is in favour of electing Rajesh to the mayor’s post. However, it is the central leadership that will take the final call.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he will be visiting Thiruvananthapuram soon. Prime Minister Modi called up BJP state president Rajiv Chandrasekhar and congratulated him for the party’s success in the local body polls.
Terming the victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation a great achievement, the Prime Minister pointed out that the BJP later came to power in Gujarat after capturing the Ahmedabad Corporation in 1987.
The BJP is celebrating its victory in Thiruvananthapuram at the national level. Leaders, including JP Nadda and Amit Shah, also shared tweets on Saturday stating that the party had captured the capital of Kerala.