‘UDF-LDF fixed match will end soon’: PM Modi congratulates BJP’s new Thiruvananthapuram Mayor
Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated V V Rajesh, the newly elected Mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, and G S Asha Nath, the Deputy Mayor, following the BJP’s landmark victory in the city’s local body elections.
In a personal letter shared by Mayor V V Rajesh on social media, the Prime Minister described the BJP’s win as a turning point in Kerala’s politics, calling it the beginning of the end of the long-standing “fixed match” between the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
The Prime Minister said the BJP’s vision for a ‘Vikasita Thiruvananthapuram’ had struck a chord with voters across the city.
“In the midst of the festive season and as we begin the year 2026, history was made in the great city of Thiruvananthapuram when you took oath as the Mayor of the city and G S Asha Nath Ji took oath as the Deputy Mayor. I would like to congratulate you and Asha Ji for this. I would also like to congratulate all our Party's newly elected councillors and Karyakartas for the historic performance in the Thiruvananthapuram local body polls,” PM Modi wrote.
Recalling his visits to the state capital, the Prime Minister highlighted the city’s cultural and spiritual legacy.
“I have great memories of visiting Thiruvananthapuram, a city that has a place of pride in the minds of every Malayali. It is blessed by Sree Padmanabhaswamy. It is the capital of Kerala. This city has nurtured thought leaders, social reformers, artists, musicians, poets, cultural giants, saints and seers. Thus, when such a city blesses our Party, it is very humbling,” the letter read.
He added that voters had responded positively to the BJP’s development agenda.
“Our vision to build a Vikasita Thiruvananthapuram has resonated with people across the city, from all sections of society… I thank the people of this city for the warmth,” Modi said.
Criticising both the LDF and the UDF, the Prime Minister alleged that their governance had fostered corruption and violence, while praising BJP workers for their perseverance.
“For decades, BJP workers in Kerala have walked a path that is difficult… Yet, despite adversity, hostility and brutal violence, our Karyakartas have stood firm,” the letter stated, describing the electoral success as “epoch-making” and “a milestone written in golden letters”.
The Prime Minister said the BJP-NDA had emerged as a credible alternative in Kerala.
“The success of our Party in the capital of Kerala signals that the people of the state, especially the youngsters and women, are ready for a new dawn… The fixed match of the LDF and UDF of being friends in Delhi and ‘rivals’ in Kerala is about to end soon. Kerala wants to break free from their broken promises,” he wrote.
V V Rajesh was elected Mayor on December 26, becoming the first BJP Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, after securing 51 votes with the support of BJP councillors and an independent member. G S Asha Nath was elected Deputy Mayor on the same day, marking a major breakthrough for the BJP in Kerala’s urban politics.
ANI