Six months after bringing an end to the Left Democratic Front's (LDF) four-decade rule in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing growing criticism from the Opposition over its handling of civic administration and allegations that it postponed council meetings to shield a jailed councillor from disqualification.
The BJP secured control of the 101-member civic body by winning 50 seats and securing the support of an Independent councillor, giving it a narrow majority. Opposition parties have alleged that the ruling party has focused more on protecting councillor R. Sugathan, who is currently in judicial custody under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), than on resolving the city's pressing civic concerns.
Sugathan, the councillor representing Vazhottukonam ward, was arrested on June 10 in connection with an alleged assault during a temple festival held in March. Police invoked the provisions of KAAPA against him, citing his involvement in multiple criminal cases, including several charges of attempt to murder.
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According to municipal regulations, a councillor may be disqualified if they remain absent from three consecutive council meetings without obtaining prior approval from the council. The Opposition has accused the BJP of deliberately delaying council meetings to prevent Sugathan from becoming liable for disqualification under these provisions.
Following sustained protests by councillors belonging to both the LDF and the United Democratic Front (UDF), Mayor V.V. Rajesh convened a council meeting after an interval of 47 days. The proceedings, however, turned chaotic, with members allegedly involved in a scuffle over the attendance register. The UDF alleged that BJP members attempted to manipulate attendance records to safeguard Sugathan, an allegation the ruling party has firmly denied.
The Opposition has also criticised the BJP government for allegedly failing to deliver on several of its key election promises, including introducing an Indore-model waste management system and effectively addressing the growing stray dog menace in the city.
UDF parliamentary party leader K.S. Sabarinathan claimed that governance within the Corporation had virtually come to a standstill, alleging that the movement of official files had slowed considerably and that no meaningful progress had been made on waste management or other critical civic issues.
LDF parliamentary party leader S.P. Deepak has written to the Chief Minister seeking intervention over the alleged delay in convening council meetings. The LDF has also launched an indefinite protest demanding that Sugathan be removed from the council.
Responding to the allegations, Mayor Rajesh said the BJP administration had pledged to focus during its first year on issues such as stray dog control, ensuring drinking water availability, improving waste management and addressing waterlogging. He maintained that progress on many of these challenges depended on coordinated support from both the state and Central governments.
The BJP-led administration has also faced a legal setback after the Kerala High Court directed 20 councillors to retake their oath of office, observing that their earlier oath-taking did not comply with the statutory requirements. Sugathan, who remains lodged in prison, has not yet retaken the oath.
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