BJP Secures Thiruvananthapuram Mayoral Post with 51 Votes; V.V. Rajesh Elected Mayor

BJP leader V.V. Rajesh has been elected as the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, securing 51 votes.

Pattoor Radhakrishnan, who won as an independent candidate, cast his vote in favor of the BJP. Meanwhile, two Congress votes were declared invalid. These invalid votes belonged to Nandancode Councilor K.R. Cleetus and Venganoor Councilor S. Lathika, attributed to errors in their signatures. Sudheesh Kumar, who contested and won from Poundkadavu as a Congress rebel, abstained from the voting process.

Just before the voting commenced, CPM Councilor S.P. Deepak raised an objection concerning a rule violation by BJP councilors who took an oath in the name of deities. However, Collector Anukumarie dismissed the objection, clarifying that such concerns should have been raised prior to the oath-taking ceremony. BJP members present welcomed the Collector’s decision with applause.

The Collector further stated that having signed the necessary forms and participated in the meeting after taking the oath, the councilors had officially become members, and any subsequent complaints should be directed to the court. Following this clarification, the process of vote counting proceeded.