Following controversy, VK Prasanth decides to vacate his office at Sasthamangalam

Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of a dispute with R Sreelekha, MLA VK Prasanth has decided to vacate his office located in a Thiruvananthapuram Corporation building at Sasthamangalam.

He has identified a building at another location to function as his office. Responding to the issue, VK Prasanth said the decision to shift was taken to avoid unnecessary controversies and was a personal decision. He said several people had been using the controversy to undermine the work being carried out and to spread allegations. A convenient building has now been found at Maruthamkuzhi, where the office has been shifted.

He said there had been no disputes for the past seven years and that the office had been functioning in the corporation building in accordance with the law. He also said claims were being circulated that he was receiving a rent allowance of ₹25,000. Prasanth added that he had continued there only to be of benefit to the public.

The controversy erupted after Sasthamangalam councillor Sreelekha demanded that VK Prasanth vacate the MLA office. Prasanth’s office had been functioning in a corporation building at Sasthamangalam, which falls under Sreelekha’s ward. She had argued that there was lack of space and therefore Prasanth should vacate the office so that she could run her own office there.

However, Prasanth had earlier made it clear that he was not willing to vacate the office and would continue there until the end of the lease period. Following the controversy, Sreelekha visited the office to meet Prasanth, stating that she had only requested him to vacate the office.