BJP’s VV Rajesh Sworn In as Thiruvananthapuram Mayor, Party Creates History in Kerala
The VV Rajesh mayor Thiruvananthapuram moment has reshaped Kerala’s political landscape. BJP leader VV Rajesh took oath as the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, sealing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s first-ever victory in a municipal corporation in the state.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) crossed the majority mark in the 101-member corporation after securing the support of an independent councillor. Rajesh won the mayoral election with 51 votes, ending decades of Left dominance in the capital’s civic administration.
Numbers Behind the Historic Win
The BJP emerged as the single largest party in the civic body by winning 50 wards in the December 9 local body elections. The support of independent councillor P. Radhakrishnan late on Thursday night pushed the NDA tally to 51, making Rajesh’s victory inevitable.
In the mayoral election, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front candidate R.P. Shivaji received 29 votes, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front candidate and former legislator K.S. Sabarinathan secured 19 votes. One independent councillor abstained.
The results reflected a decisive shift in voter sentiment in Kerala’s capital, where the Left had held uninterrupted control of the corporation for nearly 45 years.
BJP Breaks Left’s Long Civic Stronghold
The December elections stunned Kerala’s political establishment. The BJP not only emerged as the largest bloc but also dismantled the CPI(M)’s long-standing grip over Thiruvananthapuram’s civic body.
The Left Democratic Front was reduced to 29 seats, while the Congress-led UDF managed 19. Two wards went to independents, and polling in one ward was postponed due to the death of a candidate.
For the BJP, the result represented more than a numerical victory. It signalled growing acceptance in urban Kerala, a region where the party had struggled for decades.
Leadership Choice and Internal Deliberations
Rajesh’s elevation followed days of intense internal discussions within the BJP. State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar made two trips to New Delhi for consultations, underlining the national leadership’s direct involvement.
The party reportedly weighed multiple options, including former Director General of Police R. Sreelekha, before arriving at a consensus in favour of Rajesh. Sources said strong backing from the RSS played a key role in finalising his name.
At a meeting of newly elected councillors on Thursday, BJP general secretary S. Suresh announced Rajesh as the mayoral candidate and Asha Nath, a three-time councillor, as the Deputy Mayor nominee.
BJP Trailblazers in Kerala Politics
Rajesh now joins a select group of BJP pioneers in Kerala. These include O. Rajagopal, who became the party’s first MLA in 2016, and Suresh Gopi, who emerged as the BJP’s first Lok Sabha MP from the state in 2024.
Rajesh’s mayoralty adds a new chapter to that trajectory, particularly in urban governance.
Reactions and Celebrations
Senior BJP leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony to greet the new Mayor. Union Minister Suresh Gopi, state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, former state presidents K. Surendran and Kummanam Rajasekharan, former MoS V. Muraleedharan, and several other leaders were present.
“This should have happened last time. Now that we are here, slowly things will change across the state,” Suresh Gopi said.
Earlier in the day, Pinarayi Vijayan called Rajesh to congratulate him, signalling institutional acceptance of the electoral verdict.
A Turning Point for Kerala’s Urban Politics
BJP supporters gathered in large numbers outside the corporation office. As the results came in, celebrations erupted with slogans and fireworks.
Rajesh’s mayoralty represents more than a local victory. It marks a turning point in Kerala’s urban politics and sets the stage for sharper political contests in the years ahead.
For the BJP, Thiruvananthapuram now stands as proof that electoral breakthroughs in Kerala’s cities are no longer out of reach.
