A fresh political controversy has erupted in Thiruvananthapuram, centering on the use of office space within the city corporation building in Sasthamangalam. The dispute involves local MLA V K Prasanth and ward councillor R Sreelekha, with the latter now operating her constituency services from what she describes as a severely cramped and unclean space.
Social Media Posts Fuel the Dispute
The conflict entered the public domain after Councillor R Sreelekha took to social media to share her predicament. In a series of posts, she indirectly criticised the situation while announcing that her public service operations had commenced from a very small area starting Tuesday. She highlighted her challenging working conditions by sharing pictures of a lamp being lit in front of a portrait of Bharatamba, symbolising the start of her work in the modest setting.
In another significant post, Sreelekha provided stark details about her new office. She stated that the tiny room allotted to her measures barely 70-75 square feet. To compound the issue, she claimed the space is surrounded by tonnes of garbage, a claim she supported by sharing a video showing piles of waste. Despite these conditions, she emphasised that a sincere public representative could work effectively from any location.
The Core of the Controversy: A Request to Vacate
The root of the current tension lies in a formal request made by Councillor Sreelekha to MLA V K Prasanth. She had asked him to vacate the office he occupies in the same Sasthamangalam corporation building, citing severe space constraints for her own constituency duties.
However, MLA Prasanth has maintained a firm stance on the matter. He clarified that the corporation had rented the building to him based on a valid contract, which remains in effect until March. Citing this contractual agreement, Prasanth asserted that he would not vacate the premises before the term's conclusion.
Public Service Amidst Adversity
Demonstrating her commitment, Sreelekha reported that despite the inhospitable environment, her office managed to assist 18 visitors by noon on its first day of operation from the new location. She expressed satisfaction at being able to help the public, stating that this service was "enough" for her. Her recent social media activity strongly suggests that she intends to continue working from the small, garbage-affected room until MLA Prasanth vacates his more spacious office, turning the situation into a silent protest.
Interestingly, Sreelekha has attempted to personalise the conflict, noting that she only requested the MLA to vacate and that the two are friends. Despite this personal rapport, the professional dispute over essential infrastructure for public service delivery remains unresolved, capturing the attention of local political observers and citizens alike.
