Newly elected BJP councillors of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, along with other civic representatives from Kerala, left for Delhi on Monday at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The delegation, led by Mayor V V Rajesh, departed from Thiruvananthapuram Central at 12.15pm on the Kerala Express, travelling in two AC coaches. The send-off saw intense sloganeering by party workers at the station, while BJP State General Secretary S Suresh formally flagged off the team by handing over the party flag.

According to party sources, the delegation is travelling to attend a special administrative and governance skills development programme in Delhi, described as the Delhi Pravas.

Train halt during reception at Mavelikkara

Dramatic scenes unfolded later in the afternoon when the train reached Mavelikkara railway station.

Mayor Rajesh and some representatives stepped onto the platform to receive a reception organised by BJP workers led by Alappuzha South district president Sandeep Vachaspathi. Mahila Morcha district president Ponnamma Surendran performed a ceremonial welcome.

As the reception concluded, the Kerala Express began moving before all those who had alighted could reboard. The mayor ran and managed to get back on the train.

Chennithala gram panchayat president V Binuraj, who was also on the platform, ran behind the moving train. Railway staff then signalled with a red flag and stopped the train after it had moved more than 100 metres, allowing him to board safely. The incident occurred at about 2.13pm.

Delegation composition, receptions and Delhi schedule

Party sources said the delegation comprised 115 members, though reports at the station indicated a 119-member team. The group includes Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillors, municipal chairpersons and vice-chairpersons from BJP-ruled civic bodies, gram panchayat presidents and parliamentary party leaders.

The delegation has been receiving receptions along the route. BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar welcomed the team in Ernakulam, while district units hosted receptions at Thrissur and Coimbatore.

Further receptions are scheduled at Warangal, Vijayawada and Nagpur on Tuesday, with additional welcomes planned in Jhansi, Gwalior and Mathura. In Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is expected to receive the delegation.

The representatives are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Modi at his official residence on the evening of February 12. Mayor Rajesh said they would also visit the residence of Union Minister George Kurian and Parliament to gain first-hand understanding of democratic procedures.

He added that discussions with Union ministers would focus on improving development in Thiruvananthapuram and across Kerala. BJP sources said the visit could strengthen implementation of Central government schemes at the grassroots level. Several councillors described the Prime Minister’s invitation as a “rare opportunity.”

Absentees and clarification from R Sreelekha

The absence of former DGP-turned-BJP councillor R Sreelekha triggered discussion, including speculation about differences with the BJP state leadership. She later dismissed such claims.

She said it would be difficult for her to undertake a three-day train journey. She added that although the party leadership had offered to book a flight ticket, she declined as she did not wish to incur unnecessary expenditure.

In a social media message, she also cited health limitations related to long-distance train travel and the need to care for her 94-year-old mother as reasons for not joining the visit.

Health Standing Committee Chairman M R Gopan also did not join the trip, citing personal inconvenience.