TVM Corporation clash: Mayor VV Rajesh, BJP and CPM councillors booked after violent scuffle

Thiruvananthapuram: The Museum Police on Friday registered cross-cases against several BJP and CPM councillors, including Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation Mayor V V Rajesh, following a violent clash outside the Mayor's chamber on Thursday.

The police action comes after both factions lodged separate complaints alleging assault. Based on a complaint by CPM councillor Sindhu Sasi, a case was registered against Mayor Rajesh, Deputy Mayor Asha Nath and BJP councillors Girikumar, Jaya Rajeev, Madhu, Gopan, Sumi Balu, R C Beena, Manju and Sruthy.

Concurrently, acting on a counter-complaint by BJP councillor Sruthy S S, the police booked CPM councillors S P Deepak, Rakhi Ravikumar, Chellamangalam Arun, Venugopal and Renjith. The cases have been registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including unlawful assembly, rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult and wrongful restraint.

Flashpoints: KAAPA arrest and oath row

Tensions had been brewing in the local body after the BJP-led NDA assumed power in December 2025, ending the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) 45-year rule by winning 50 out of 101 seats.

The immediate trigger for the protest was the CPM's demand for the resignation of BJP councillor R Sugathan, who was recently arrested in an assault case and booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).

Furthermore, the agitation intensified after the Kerala High Court invalidated the initial oath taken by several BJP councillors for using expressions outside the prescribed format. While the BJP councillors took a fresh oath following the court order, the CPM alleged that the re-swearing ceremony did not follow proper statutory procedures.

The standoff escalated into a physical scuffle on Thursday when CPM members blocked Mayor Rajesh and his colleagues from entering his official chamber. Several councillors from both sides, including the Mayor, sustained injuries and had to be hospitalised. The violence also triggered retaliatory protests across various parts of the capital city.

War of words: Govindan Vs Rajeev Chandrasekhar

The incident has sparked a massive political slanging match between the state leadership of both parties.

In New Delhi, CPM state secretary M V Govindan accused the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of deliberately instigating the confrontation by aggressively pushing through a peaceful protest. "Our councillors suffered serious injuries, including head wounds. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor later got themselves admitted to the hospital to play the victim card. In reality, they created the crisis," Govindan alleged.

Hitting back, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar issued a stern warning to the CPM against intimidation tactics. In a social media post, Chandrasekhar stated that the Left party needs to learn to function within constitutional boundaries. "We respect the CPM’s democratic right to protest. But if they cross the line and threaten our Mayor or councillors, the consequences will be serious," he warned.

PTI