Leadership Intervention Leads to BJP Area President Withdrawing Resignation in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – In a significant development for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the capital city, M. Jayakumar, the Nemom Area President of the party, has withdrawn his resignation. His decision to retract the resignation came after swift intervention from the district leadership, resolving a contentious dispute over candidate selection for the upcoming Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections.
Jayakumar had tendered his resignation following disagreements regarding the choice of candidate for the Nemom ward. He expressed his strong dissatisfaction, stating that despite 43 years of dedicated service to the organization and his current position as a councilor, neither he nor the incumbent councilor were given due consideration in the candidate selection process for the Nemom ward.
The core of Jayakumar’s grievance, as outlined in his resignation letter, was the party leadership’s alleged failure to address his complaints and their disregard for the persistent demands of party workers. Workers in the Nemom ward had reportedly called for a local candidate to be fielded in the corporation elections, a plea that Jayakumar claimed went unheeded by the leadership.
Nemom is recognized as a formidable stronghold for the BJP, with the party having secured victories in all five wards within the region in the previous election cycle. The current dispute arose partly due to the Ponnumangalam ward being designated as a women’s reserved ward, necessitating M.R. Gopan, a prominent figure, to seek a different ward. M.R. Gopan subsequently garnered support from both the BJP district leadership and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the Nemom ward candidacy, a move that directly led to Jayakumar’s resignation.
The resignation letter was formally submitted to BJP District President Karamana Jayan and Nemom Mandalam President Karumam Rajesh. Recognizing the severity of the situation and the potential implications for party unity in a crucial electoral battleground, the district leadership promptly initiated discussions with Jayakumar on Wednesday night, culminating in the withdrawal of his resignation.
However, the recent developments have also brought to light broader concerns within the party ranks. Allegations have surfaced that the district leadership is not adequately considering the opinions of local party workers in the candidate selection processes for other significant wards, including Karumam and Ponnumangalam. This internal friction, particularly in a BJP bastion like Nemom, has reportedly caused considerable consternation and confusion among the district leadership.
The BJP is strategically focusing its efforts on 70 seats within the corporation where it perceives strong influence. The party is also reportedly contemplating fielding robust candidates for the coveted Mayor’s position, underscoring the high stakes involved in the upcoming civic polls. The swift resolution of Jayakumar’s resignation is seen as an attempt to consolidate party ranks and present a united front ahead of these critical elections, though underlying grievances regarding internal democracy and candidate selection remain a challenge for the leadership.