After historic win, BJP moves to evict CPM MLA from Thiruvananthapuram office

Thiruvananthapuram: A political row has erupted in Kerala's capital after a CPM lawmaker alleged that a newly elected BJP councillor ordered him to vacate his local office following the saffron party's historic takeover of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

Vattiyoorkavu MLA V. K. Prasanth told reporters Sunday that councillor R. Sreelekha, a retired Director General of Police (DGP) who recently won the Sasthamangalam ward on a BJP ticket, contacted him via telephone to demand he relinquish his office space located within the Corporation’s building.

The allegation follows the BJP’s landmark victory in the local body elections earlier this month, where it secured 50 of the 101 divisions to end decades of Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule.

“She contacted me asking to vacate my office. She said the councillor’s office in the same building does not have adequate facilities and that she wants to occupy the space currently used by the MLA,” Prasanth said.

The legislator, who previously served as the city's Mayor, noted that his office has operated from the premises for seven years. He argued that the space was legally allotted to him on rent after he followed official procedures and submitted an application to the Corporation.

Prasanth criticised the direct demand for eviction, suggesting it bypassed established administrative channels. “Here, a councillor is directly calling an MLA and demanding eviction. This is like handling things the way it is done in a police station,” he alleged. He further compared the move to “Bulldozer Raj,” asserting that the BJP was attempting to replicate north Indian political tactics in the southern state.

While admitting that his office uses some additional space due to high visitor volume, Prasanth maintained that his lease is valid until March 31, 2026. He stated he has already applied for an extension to cover the remainder of the current Assembly term ending in May 2026.

“If the councillor has any complaint, it can be examined. We have the right to function in the allotted space until the agreement period expires,” Prasanth said. He added that he is prepared to contest any immediate eviction efforts through legal means.

The BJP has not yet issued a formal response to the MLA's claims. Sreelekha, who was previously considered a frontrunner for the Mayor's post before the party selected V. V. Rajesh, has officially taken charge as the ward councillor following the swearing-in ceremonies held last Friday.

With inputs from PTI