Kerala: Mayor, BJP and CPI(M) councillors booked after clash at Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
Thiruvananthapuram, June 26: The police have registered separate cases against councillors from the BJP and CPI(M) following a clash at the City Corporation office on Thursday. Among those booked is Mayor V.V. Rajesh of the BJP.
Based on a complaint lodged by CPI(M) councillor Sindhu Sasi, a case was registered against Mr. Rajesh, Deputy Mayor Asha Nath, and BJP councillors Girikumar, Jaya Rajeev, Madhu, Gopan, Sumi Balu, R C Beena, Manju, and Sruthy. Separately, based on a complaint by BJP councillor Sruthy S S, cases were filed against CPI(M) councillors SP Deepak, Rakhi Ravikumar, Chellamangalam Arun, Venugopal, and Renjith.
The Museum police invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to unlawful assembly, rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult, and wrongful restraint. Police officials said they have recorded statements from injured councillors and the investigation is ongoing.
The clash occurred when the Mayor, accompanied by BJP councillors, attempted to enter his office. CPI(M) councillors were protesting outside, demanding the resignation of BJP councillor R Sugathan, who was recently arrested in an assault case and booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). The CPI(M) also cited a recent Kerala High Court order that invalidated the oath taken by several BJP councillors for invoking names other than 'God' or using expressions beyond the prescribed form. The CPI(M) alleged that the fresh oath taken by the BJP councillors after the court order was not in accordance with procedure.
Police said CPI(M) councillors allegedly blocked the Mayor's entry, triggering a brief scuffle. Several councillors, including the Mayor, sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.
The incident has drawn reactions from party leaders. CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan accused the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of initiating the confrontation. Speaking in New Delhi, he claimed that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor pushed through the protesting CPI(M) councillors to enter the office, causing injuries to several CPI(M) members. 'Later, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor went to hospital claiming they were victims. In reality, the confrontation was created by them,' he alleged.
Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar warned the CPI(M) against threatening the party's Mayor and councillors, saying such actions would invite 'serious consequences'. In a Facebook post, he said, 'We respect the CPI(M)'s democratic right to protest. But if the party attempts to cross all limits and threaten our Mayor or councillors, the consequences will be serious.' He urged the CPI(M) to function within the framework of the Constitution.
The BJP-led NDA assumed power in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in December 2025, ending the Left Democratic Front's 45-year rule by winning 50 of the 101 seats.
