Congress mulls no-confidence move as turmoil deepens in BJP-run Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

Thiruvananthapuram, June 26 (IANS) The Congress-led UDF is weighing a no-confidence motion against the BJP administration in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, a move that could throw the state’s only BJP-led civic body into political uncertainty if the CPI-M-led LDF decides to extend support.

The Corporation Council is scheduled to meet on Monday, when the opposition is expected to chalk out its strategy in the wake of the violent scenes witnessed inside the civic body earlier this week.

The unprecedented turmoil comes less than 10 months after the BJP wrested control of the Corporation in the 2025 local body elections, ending more than four decades of uninterrupted CPI-M rule.

It marked the first time that the BJP had captured and governed a municipal corporation in Kerala.

The latest flashpoint was Thursday’s scuffle inside the Corporation, which left several councillors injured, including Mayor V.V. Rajesh, who suffered a leg injury after falling during the melee and is now in a plaster cast.

The immediate trigger for the confrontation was the LDF’s protest demanding the removal of BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who is currently lodged in jail under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).

Both the LDF and the UDF have demanded that Sugathan be disqualified as a councillor.

The State Home Secretary has already approved invoking the KAAPA against him, while his earlier oath of office has also been declared invalid.

Sugathan is expected to move the Kerala High Court seeking permission to retake the oath in compliance with its earlier order directing that he be allowed to do so within 14 days.

He also plans to approach the KAAPA Advisory Board seeking relief from his detention.

The state government, meanwhile, is expected to seek legal opinion on complaints that permitting a fresh oath would violate the provisions of the Kerala Municipality Act.

Adding to the political intrigue, the BJP has accused the LDF and the UDF of acting in concert, alleging that the confrontation was part of a coordinated strategy to destabilise the Corporation.

Congress councillor and former MLA K. Sabarinathan said the BJP’s governance had rapidly deteriorated.

“The BJP used to say that if it came to power, everything would be transformed and in 45 days, they would bring PM Modi. If the Left governed for 10 years and reached this state, under the BJP, things have gone from bad to worse in less than 10 months,” he said.

In the 101-member council, the BJP has 50 councillors, besides the support of one Independent.

The LDF has 29 members, while the Congress-led UDF has 20, along with an Independent who is generally aligned with the Opposition.

With one BJP councillor currently in jail, the arithmetic has fuelled speculation that a no-confidence motion could become a serious political challenge if the Opposition closes ranks.

Mayor Rajesh, however, remained unfazed.

“According to the Municipality Act, every party has the right to move a no-confidence motion. They are free to do what they wish,” he said.

–IANS

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