Why BJP’s grip on the sole Kerala municipal corporation it controls is under strain

Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly six months after scripting history by wresting control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from the Left Democratic Front, the BJP’s hold over the only municipal corporation that it controls in Kerala is under strain—a problem triggered by the arrest of one of its councillors earlier this month.

The controversy has snowballed into repeated protests by the Opposition LDF and UDF, dramatic scenes, and even a physical scuffle during Monday’s council meeting.

Sugathan’s detention has become a fresh political opportunity for the Opposition, which has already been targeting the BJP administration over multiple civic and administrative issues in the past few months.

Under the Kerala Municipality Act, a councillor can be disqualified if they remain absent without permission for three consecutive council meetings, or for three consecutive months.

While Sugathan obviously missed Monday’s council meeting and the previous one last month, an earlier council meeting held back in April has become a matter of controversy. The BJP maintains that Sugathan attended that meeting, but both the LDF and UDF dispute the claim, alleging that he was made to sign the attendance register without actually attending the proceedings.

Complicating matters further, Sugathan is yet to retake his oath as directed by the Kerala High Court.

Last week, the high court had invalidated the oaths of 20 BJP councillors, including Sugathan, after they invoked deities and martyrs instead of taking the oath in the statutory format.

While the remaining 19 councillors retook the oath the same day, Sugathan, who remains in jail, is yet to do so. The court granted all 20 councillors four weeks to retake the oath.

The protests took dramatic turns Monday after the UDF and BJP engaged in a physical scuffle over the attendance register, with both parties accusing each other of destroying it.

According to UDF councillors, they were prevented from signing the attendance register, accusing the BJP of altering the records to protect Sugathan.

They also alleged that the attendance register was damaged during the scuffle and said the Congress would pursue legal action.

The meeting itself lasted less than 10 minutes, during which nearly 700 agenda items were passed amid continuous sloganeering by the Opposition.

“They attacked our women councillors and forcefully snatched the attendance register. We don’t have to suffer that,” Congress councillor K. Sabarinathan said, alleging that hot water was also thrown at Congress councillors during the chaos.

BJP Mayor V. V. Rajesh, however, rejected the allegations.

He said the agenda items were passed hurriedly because of the Opposition’s sloganeering and lack of cooperation, adding that councillors could mark their attendance either during the meeting or later at the Mayor’s section.

“If there is a need in the future, it is an official document to be submitted before a court. If you receive the document, you should either sign it and return it or pass it on. But today there were attempts to destroy it. The education standing committee chairman intervened, which led to the scuffle. We will never support such attempts,” Rajesh said.

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Also Read: Why the Kerala High Court invalidated 20 councillors’ oaths that invoked Bharat Mata and deities

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Why Thriuvananthapuram corporation is crucial for BJP

The BJP has 50 councillors in the 101-member Thriuvananthapuram corporation, and enjoys a working majority with the support of one independent councillor, taking its effective strength to 51. The LDF has 29 councillors and the backing of another independent, while UDF has 20 councillors.

If Sugathan is disqualified, a vacancy in the Vazhottukonam ward would trigger a by-election. A defeat for the BJP here could leave the party without a majority, making it vulnerable in the event of a no-confidence move.

Actively trying to expand its footprint in Kerala, the BJP’s first-ever victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation was celebrated as a landmark political breakthrough.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the city within 45 days of the polls to thank voters, after the party campaigned on a promise that he would return to unveil a development roadmap for the capital.

The BJP had also pledged to transform Thiruvananthapuram into one of India’s top three cities by 2030 through improvements in civic infrastructure, waste management, drinking water supply and governance.

The LDF has been protesting outside the corporation office since last week, demanding action against Sugathan and accusing the BJP administration of shielding him.

Ahead of Monday’s council meeting, the UDF proposed moving a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led administration but failed to secure the LDF’s support.

The motion requires the signatures of at least one-third of the council’s sanctioned strength—33 members in the 101-member corporation—making the support of both Opposition fronts essential.

The BJP had earlier defended Sugathan against the Opposition’s demand for disqualification, arguing that detention under KAAPA by itself is not a ground for removing an elected councillor.

“As a mayor, I can’t do anything against an arrested councillor. It’s beyond my powers,” Rajesh said.

The LDF also targeted the BJP over Monday’s events, alleging that the attempt to destroy the attendance register was pre-planned and carried out with the Mayor’s knowledge.

“There was no provocation to destroy the document. It could not have happened without the Mayor’s knowledge,” former CPI(M) minister V. Sivankutty said.

He added that the LDF would organise protest marches and house-to-house campaigns to expose what it called the ‘goonda raj’ and inefficiency of the BJP-led administration.

(Edited by Sugita Katyal)

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