In a revealing turn of events, BJP councillor R Sreelekha from Sasthamangalam ward in Thiruvananthapuram has publicly shared her initial disappointment over the party's decision to not appoint her as the mayor of the city corporation. This comes despite what she claims were clear assurances given to her before the local body elections.
From Reluctance to Expectation: The Mayor Assurance
Speaking to the media, Sreelekha, a former Director General of Police (DGP) and state vice-president of the BJP, recounted her political journey leading up to the polls. She revealed that she was initially hesitant to contest the local body elections. However, the party leadership persuaded her to enter the fray with a specific promise. She was assured that if the BJP won the Thiruvananthapuram corporation, she would be projected as the mayoral candidate.
"Till the last minute, I was under the impression that I would be made mayor," Sreelekha stated, highlighting the depth of her expectation. She added that her initial role was to ensure the victory of at least 10 party candidates, but she was later convinced to contest herself based on the mayoral promise.
The Leadership's Decision and Public Reversal
Ultimately, the party's national leadership made a different choice. V V Rajesh was appointed as the mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram corporation, a decision Sreelekha speculated might be due to his prior experience in the council. While she expressed her dissatisfaction over this turn of events, acknowledging it was not her goal to merely become a councillor, a subsequent development altered the narrative.
Later in the day, through a social media post, Sreelekha performed a public U-turn. She clarified that she harboured no personal grievance and had accepted the party's decision. She emphasized that she had no issues with being denied the post, effectively retracting her earlier expressions of discontent.
Commitment to Serve and Future Plans
Despite the internal party drama, Sreelekha made her commitment to her constituents clear. She asserted that she would not walk away from her elected position. "I have a responsibility to serve those who supported me," she declared, confirming her intention to complete her full term as a councillor.
She also pointed out the irony of the situation, noting that the leadership had projected her as the face of the corporation election in the media, and she had participated in public discussions accordingly. In a final note, she denied circulating reports about her preparing to contest upcoming assembly elections, putting those speculations to rest.
The episode sheds light on the internal negotiations and broken promises that can sometimes characterise political party dynamics, even as public figures strive to present a united front after decisions are made.
