‘Vacate or be cornered’: Thiruvananthapuram office war pits Congress–BJP against CPM MLA

Thiruvananthapuram: The political confrontation over an office space in Kerala’s capital intensified on Monday as the Congress party stepped into an ongoing dispute between a ruling CPM MLA and a newly elected BJP councillor, triggering sharp reactions from the Left.

The row centres on the MLA office of Vattiyoorkavu legislator VK Prasanth, which has been functioning for years inside a Corporation building at Sasthamangalam.

The issue resurfaced after BJP councillor R Sreelekha, a retired Director General of Police, sought the space, citing a lack of accommodation for elected representatives.

Adding fuel to the controversy, Congress councillor and former MLA K S Sabarinathan publicly suggested that Prasanth shift his office to the MLA Hostel, located within the constituency he represents.

In a Facebook post, Sabarinathan said the matter should be examined by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, including the terms of any existing agreement and rent arrangements. He noted that most MLAs in Kerala operate offices from privately rented premises within their constituencies.

Drawing from personal experience, Sabarinathan said he ran his MLA office from a rented room during his tenure. He argued that Prasanth enjoys a “special advantage” as two well-equipped office rooms in the Nila Block of the MLA Hostel—complete with modern facilities—are already allotted in his name.

“When such infrastructure is available free of cost, why should the MLA continue to occupy a Corporation building room?” he asked, suggesting the legislator relocate for the remainder of the Assembly term.

Reacting sharply, CPM MLA Prasanth questioned why the Congress appeared to echo the BJP’s stance. He said Congress’s support for the BJP's arguments should be politically examined, given Kerala’s current scenario.

Prasanth defended his decision, stating that the Sasthamangalam office is more accessible for residents of his constituency. He alleged that he was earlier contacted by the BJP councillor and asked to vacate the premises, likening the move to “Bulldozer Raj” and accusing the BJP of importing authoritarian tactics seen in northern states.

Sreelekha later clarified that she had made only a “humble request” due to space constraints. Meanwhile, Mayor V V Rajesh said all documents related to the office space would be reviewed before making a decision.

What began as a logistical issue has now turned into a politically charged confrontation, exposing growing friction between Kerala’s major parties at the grassroots level.