THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tension erupted at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Thursday after councillors of the CPI(M) and the BJP clashed outside the Mayor’s office amid escalating political confrontations over recent controversies involving the civic body.The protest was led by CPI(M) councillors, who have been demanding the resignation of BJP councillor R Sugathan following his arrest in an assault case and his booking under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).The confrontation also came a day after the Kerala High Court invalidated the oath taken by several BJP councillors, ruling that they had deviated from the prescribed format by invoking names other than “God” or using expressions not permitted under the law.The CPI(M) further alleged that the fresh oath administered to the BJP councillors after the court order did not follow the prescribed procedure.Left councillors staged a demonstration outside the chamber of Mayor V V Rajesh. According to police, tensions flared when the Mayor, accompanied by BJP councillors, attempted to enter his office and CPI(M) members allegedly blocked the entrance, leading to a scuffle between the rival groups.Several councillors, including women members from both sides, reportedly sustained injuries during the clash. Some were shifted to hospital for treatment.Police personnel intervened shortly after the confrontation and cleared the way for the Mayor to enter his office.Speaking to reporters, Rajesh questioned how civic administration could function if access to the Mayor’s office was obstructed.“There were councillors and members of the public with me. If they block the Mayor’s office and prevent people from entering, how will public work be carried out?” he said.Rajesh claimed that several councillors, most of them women, were injured in the incident and maintained that while protests were acceptable, blocking the Mayor’s office was not.“They were free to hold a protest outside and nobody objected. But if the Mayor’s office itself is blocked, how will people’s work proceed?” he said.The Mayor also asserted that he would not yield to what he described as “goondaism” and said political differences should be resolved through democratic means and legal channels.CPI(M) leaders, however, accused BJP councillors of initiating the violence and alleged that one of their women councillors suffered a head injury and was hospitalised.Following the clash, Left councillors continued their protest outside the Mayor’s chamber, raising slogans demanding Rajesh’s resignation.The BJP-led NDA came to power in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in December 2025, ending the Left Democratic Front’s uninterrupted 45-year control of the civic body after winning 50 of the 101 seats.(With PTI inputs)
