Thiruvananthapuram: Senior BJP leader V.V. Rajesh was sworn in as the Mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, marking a historic first for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala’s civic politics and giving the party its first mayor in the state.
Rajesh secured the mayoral post after winning the election in the 101-member corporation council, where the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the recent local body polls. The party crossed the majority mark with the support of an independent councillor, enabling it to form the civic administration in the state capital.
A councillor from the Kodunganoor ward, Rajesh is a long-time BJP organiser and has held several positions within the party, including district president and state-level responsibilities. At the swearing-in ceremony, he said his focus would be on development, efficient civic administration and inclusive governance for the city.
The BJP had put up a strong performance in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections, winning 50 seats and finishing ahead of the Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Front, both of which have traditionally dominated local governance in the state.
Along with Rajesh, Asha Nath was elected as the Deputy Mayor, completing the BJP’s leadership team for the corporation. Party leaders said the choice of office-bearers reflected organisational experience and the need for stability in running the civic body.
The mayoral victory is being seen as a significant political milestone for the BJP in Kerala, coming months ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections. The party has been seeking to expand its footprint in the state, where it has historically struggled to convert vote share into administrative control.
Party leaders described the development as a reflection of growing public support in urban areas, while opposition parties termed the outcome a setback and said they would play a constructive role from the opposition benches.
Rajesh’s elevation to the mayor’s post is expected to be closely watched, with both supporters and critics viewing his tenure as a test of the BJP’s ability to govern a major civic body in Kerala.
