Thiruvananthapuram: Tension gripped the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Thursday after CPM and BJP councillors were involved in a scuffle outside the Mayor's office amid protests over a series of recent political developments. 

The CPM has been demanding 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).

The protest also came a day after the Kerala High Court invalidated the oath taken by several BJP councillors. The court found that they had invoked names other than "God" or used expressions beyond the prescribed format for the oath or solemn affirmation.

The CPM has also alleged that the fresh oath taken by BJP councillors following the High Court order was not conducted in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

Scuffle breaks out outside Mayor's chamber

CPM councillors staged a protest outside the chamber of Mayor V V Rajesh on Thursday.

According to police, the confrontation began when Rajesh, accompanied by BJP councillors, attempted to enter his office. CPM councillors allegedly blocked his entry, leading to a brief scuffle between members of the two sides.

Several women councillors sustained injuries during the clash, police said. Some of them were shifted to hospital for treatment.

Police personnel intervened shortly afterwards and enabled the Mayor to enter his chamber.

Speaking to reporters, Rajesh questioned how the Corporation could function if access to the Mayor's office was blocked.

"There were councillors and members of the public with me. If they block the Mayor's office and prevent people from entering, how will public work be carried out?" he said.

Rajesh claimed that several councillors, most of them women, had been injured in the incident.

"They were free to hold a protest outside and nobody objected. But if the Mayor's office itself is blocked, how will people's work proceed?" he asked.

Rival parties accuse each other of violence

The Mayor said he would not yield to what he described as "goondaism".

"Why should there be a situation of violence for the Mayor to enter his own office? They can protest democratically and approach the court," he said.

CPM leaders, however, accused BJP councillors of resorting to violence. They claimed that one of their women councillors suffered a head injury during the clash and was admitted to hospital.

The CPM councillors continued their protest outside the Mayor's chamber, raising slogans demanding Rajesh's resignation.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) took control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in December 2025, ending the Left Democratic Front's 45-year rule after winning 50 of the civic body's 101 seats.