A BJP councillor in Thiruvananthapuram, promised the mayoral post, accepted being passed over and backed the chosen candidate, highlighting internal party tensions.

R Sreelekha, a former IPS officer and BJP councillor in Thiruvananthapuram, said she was promised the mayoral position before the municipal elections but was passed over in favor of V V Rajesh, sparking internal party tensions. Though she initially expressed disappointment, she later publicly endorsed Rajesh’s appointment, reaffirmed her commitment to her councillor role, and ruled out running in the upcoming Assembly elections. Her comments reflect a broader debate over leadership decisions within the BJP in Kerala, where the party has secured its first mayoral victory in the city after ending the CPI(M)-led LDF’s 40-year rule.