Thiruvananthapuram: High drama unfolded at an NDA election event at the Mascot Hotel when R Sreelekha, the alliance's candidate for the Vattiyoorkavu constituency, staged a walkout in protest. The incident occurred during an online address by Union Minister S Jaishankar, who reportedly failed to mention Sreelekha’s name or her constituency during his inaugural speech.

The event was specifically organised to facilitate a meeting between the candidate and prominent personalities from Vattiyoorkavu. However, sources state that while the Union Minister’s speech highlighted the candidacy of Rajeev Chandrasekhar and urged voters to ensure his victory, Sreelekha felt slighted by the lack of any reference to her own campaign.

Visibly disgruntled, Sreelekha left the venue, questioning the purpose of her presence at a programme intended to seek votes for her if her own name was omitted. The sudden exit sent local leadership into a huddle as the campaign is entering its final, critical phase.

The situation was eventually brought under control following the swift intervention of senior BJP and RSS leaders. State leaders, including S Omana and V V Rajesh, held discussions with Sreelekha to address her grievances. Following their persuasion, she later returned to the hotel and resumed her participation in the scheduled proceedings.

This incident adds to a series of past controversies involving the candidate, including her previous decision to stay away from the Prime Minister’s dais in Thiruvananthapuram citing protocol, and friction regarding the Mayoral swearing-in ceremony.