‘Not resigned, only unwell’: BJP’s Suresh breaks silence on Sreelekha amid speculation

Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala IPS officer and BJP leader R. Sreelekha is undergoing treatment in hospital, while BJP state general secretary S. Suresh said reports that she has resigned from the party are incorrect.

R. Sreelekha is currently receiving treatment in hospital after experiencing physical health problems for several days, according to BJP state general secretary S. Suresh.

Suresh visited Sreelekha in hospital and shared photographs of her on a hospital bed. In a social media post, he said her health problems had raised concerns about whether she would be able to discharge her responsibilities as an elected representative.

BJP denies resignation reports

Suresh said Sreelekha had not resigned from the BJP. According to his account, she had only communicated to people close to her, including the mayor, that her physical condition had made her anxious about whether she could properly carry out her responsibilities as a councillor.

He said the matter had subsequently become the subject of media reports and denied speculation that Sreelekha had decided to leave the BJP.

Reports and speculation had emerged about Sreelekha's political future, including claims that she could join another political party or that disagreements over a party position were behind her reported decision.

Suresh rejected these claims and said speculation about her switching parties or negotiating for a position was unfounded.

He also dismissed suggestions that the BJP's administration in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation could be affected by the developments.

Sreelekha, a former IPS officer and former Kerala Director General of Police, joined the BJP and subsequently became a state vice-president of the party.

Suresh highlighted her decision to contest as a councillor after being asked by the party and described it as evidence of her continued association with the BJP.

He also referred to her participation in a three-day district-level party study camp, saying she took part as an ordinary party worker.

BJP leaders visit Sreelekha

According to Suresh, several BJP leaders visited Sreelekha in hospital. They included BJP state vice-president K. Soman, district president Karamana Jayan and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V. V. Rajesh.

Suresh wished Sreelekha a speedy recovery and said she had continued to remain committed to public service.

The immediate development is Sreelekha's hospitalisation and the BJP's denial that she has resigned from the party. Suresh's statement also indicates that concerns about her ability to continue her responsibilities as a councillor were linked to her physical illness.

Claims about her potentially joining another political party or disagreements over party positions have been described as speculation by Suresh. No resignation has been established in the information provided.