Former Kerala DGP R Sreelekha resigns as BJP councillor in Thiruvananthapuram
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Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala Director General of Police R. Sreelekha has resigned as a BJP councillor representing the Sasthamangalam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, months after making her electoral debut and amid reports of differences with sections of the party leadership.
Sreelekha, the first woman to hold the rank of DGP in Kerala, was elected from Sasthamangalam in the December 2025 local body elections with a comfortable majority. She informed residents of her decision through a message and said the resignation was for personal reasons.
She submitted her resignation letter to Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh on September 30 and said a copy would be submitted to the district collector. Rajesh has confirmed receiving the letter, while the Corporation secretary said he had not received it. Under the applicable procedure, the resignation is to be submitted to the secretary.
Deputy Mayor Asha G. Nath said she had no prior information about the decision and learned about it through the media. With the resignation submitted to the Mayor rather than the secretary, uncertainty remains over its formal processing. BJP leaders are also making efforts to persuade Sreelekha to reconsider the decision.
Sreelekha joined the Corporation after retiring from the police service and was projected as a prominent BJP candidate. Reports at the time indicated that she had been considered for the mayoral post if the BJP succeeded in taking control of the Corporation. The BJP emerged as the largest group in the 101-member council and formed the administration with the support of an Independent councillor. However, V.V. Rajesh was subsequently chosen as Mayor.
The decision not to appoint Sreelekha as Mayor had reportedly caused disappointment among her supporters and led to discussions within BJP circles. Reports of differences between her and sections of the party leadership had also emerged after she entered the Corporation. Sreelekha, however, has cited only personal reasons for her resignation.
A few months after her Corporation victory, Sreelekha was fielded by the BJP from the Vattiyoorkavu Assembly constituency, where she finished third.
Her resignation changes the numbers in the Corporation council. The BJP had 50 councillors, while the party-led administration also had the support of an Independent. Her exit leaves the BJP with 49 councillors in the 101-member council, making Independent support significant for the administration. A by-election in Sasthamangalam could further shape the Corporation’s numbers.
With IANS inputs