A fresh political controversy has erupted in Kerala after a Communist Party of India (Marxist) legislator accused a Bharatiya Janata Party councillor of asking him to vacate his office. The incident highlights the ongoing political tensions within the civic body of the state capital.
Allegation of Pressure Tactics
Vattiyoorkavu MLA V K Prasanth made a serious allegation against BJP councillor R Sreelekha on 28 December 2025. Prasanth told reporters that Sreelekha contacted him directly over the phone. During this conversation, the BJP councillor reportedly asked the CPI(M) MLA to vacate his office premises.
The office in question is located within the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation building in Sasthamangalam. This building houses the administrative offices of the city's municipal corporation. Prasanth's disclosure to the press has brought the internal squabbles of the corporation into the public domain, setting the stage for a political showdown.
The Core of the Dispute
While the exact reasons behind the BJP councillor's demand were not fully detailed in the initial reports, such incidents are often rooted in control over space and symbolic authority within shared government buildings. The demand for an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly to vacate an office is seen as a significant escalation in local political rivalry.
The allegation suggests a direct confrontation between the ruling Left Democratic Front, represented by MLA Prasanth, and the opposition BJP in the corporation. The phone call itself becomes a point of contention, with the MLA choosing to publicize the event to highlight perceived pressure tactics.
Political Repercussions and Reactions
This incident is likely to have immediate political consequences. It can be expected to trigger the following reactions:
- Formal complaints by the CPI(M) to the corporation authorities or higher administrative officials.
- Demands for clarification from the BJP regarding its councillor's actions and authority to make such a demand.
- Heated debates in the corporation council, further stalling cooperative governance.
- A war of words between the political parties in the state, each trying to frame the narrative to its advantage.
The development underscores the often-fractious nature of multi-party administration in Kerala's urban local bodies. It raises questions about the protocols for interaction between elected representatives from different tiers of government and different political parties sharing the same workspace.
As of now, the BJP councillor's perspective or any official response from the BJP regarding the allegation has not been detailed. The coming days are likely to see more clarifications, denials, or counter-allegations as this story develops further in the politically vibrant state of Kerala.
