Thiruvananthapuram: In a major setback to the BJP, former DGP R Sreelekha has resigned from her post as councillor. Sreelekha was elected as a BJP councillor from the Sasthamangalam ward. Her resignation comes as a significant blow to the BJP, which came to power in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation with a majority of just one seat.
Reports suggest that Sreelekha was deeply dissatisfied over not being given the mayor’s post. It is learnt that she submitted her resignation letter to Mayor V V Rajesh on September 30, and the resignation was subsequently accepted by the Corporation Secretary.
However, Sreelekha has maintained that she resigned due to personal reasons. She has also informed a WhatsApp group that she will submit a letter to the District Collector on Monday.
There had been reports from the beginning that Sreelekha had differences of opinion with the BJP leadership. She was reportedly unhappy after being denied the mayor’s post following the Corporation elections. The party had prominently projected Sreelekha during the election campaign, but V V Rajesh was later chosen as mayor.
With Sreelekha’s resignation, the BJP-led NDA has lost its absolute majority in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The NDA had 51 seats in the 101-member council, including the support of one independent councillor. Following her resignation, the BJP’s strength has fallen to 49 councillors, while the NDA’s total strength has dropped to 50.
Of the BJP’s 49 councillors, one is currently in jail, further complicating the party’s position in the Corporation.
Meanwhile, the BJP is reportedly making efforts to persuade Sreelekha to reconsider her decision. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is expected to hold direct talks with her.
