A fresh political controversy erupted in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday after a newly elected BJP councillor asked a sitting CPI(M) legislator to vacate his office in a corporation-owned building. The dispute centers on a prime office space along the busy Vellayambalam-Sasthamangalam road and has escalated into a war of words between political rivals.
The Core of the Dispute: A Request or a Demand?
The conflict began when BJP councillor R Sreelekha, who recently won the Sasthamangalam ward, contacted Vattiyoorkavu MLA V K Prasanth over the phone on Saturday evening. Sreelekha requested that Prasanth vacate the office space he has been using for several years to accommodate her councillor office, citing a need for adequate room to operate.
However, Prasanth, a senior CPI(M) leader and former mayor of the city, firmly rejected the request. He stated that his lease agreement for the office remains legally valid until March 31, 2026. He asserted there was no legal basis for him to vacate the premises before the contract's expiration.
Political Accusations Fly
Prasanth described the councillor's move as "undignified" and contrary to democratic norms. He emphasized that the office was allotted through a formal council decision during the previous LDF-led corporation administration. "Only the corporation secretary has the authority to issue any eviction notice. A councillor has no such power," Prasanth told reporters. He suggested the action was politically motivated following the BJP's recent gain of control in the council.
He clarified that unless the new council passed a fresh resolution to reallocate the space according to established rules, the existing arrangement must continue. On Sunday morning, Sreelekha visited the office and held a brief meeting with Prasanth, seeking to downplay the incident. She told the media she had only made a request, not a demand, and called Prasanth a "younger brother."
Senior Leaders Weigh In
The issue quickly drew reactions from senior state leaders. General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty condemned the move, calling it a "blatant violation of democratic norms." He stated that demanding the eviction of an MLA's office, which has served as a support centre for thousands for seven years, constituted a direct challenge to the democratic system and was an act of political vendetta.
Meanwhile, Mayor V V Rajesh attempted to calm tensions, stating the matter was not serious and would be resolved amicably. Despite this, Prasanth reiterated he would not back down from his decision to retain the office as per the valid lease agreement.
The standoff highlights the heightened political tensions in the state capital following changes in the corporation's administrative control and sets the stage for further confrontations over symbolic and functional spaces.
