BJP Councillors' Invalidated Oaths Trigger Protests and Clashes in Thiruvananthapuram
The Kerala High Court invalidated the oaths of 20 BJP councillors and one Congress member for violating legal requirements, mandating retaking within four weeks. This sparked political turmoil in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, with LDF councillors protesting and demanding the Mayor's resignation over the controversy and the presence of jailed councillor R. Sugathan. A scuffle on June 25 between LDF and BJP councillors left several injured, leading to police cases against both sides. The BJP-led NDA council faces a delicate challenge amid opposition demands.
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LDF leadership at Thiruvananthapuram Corporation seeks State government’s intervention
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) leadership in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has requested urgent intervention from Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, alleging rule violations and anti-democratic actions by the BJP-led council. LDF Parliamentary party leader S.P. Deepak accused the Mayor of refusing to convene council meetings on time and of protecting BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who was arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). Deepak also claimed women councillors have been threatened and injured. Separately, the United Democratic Front (UDF) demanded action against BJP councillor Chempazhanthy Udayan for allegedly tearing the council attendance register and attacking Congress councillors. The incidents highlight escalating political tensions in the civic body.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Violence erupts at Thiruvananthapuram Corporation meeting as BJP councillor attacks Congress leader K.S. Sabarinadhan amid protests
A council meeting of the BJP-led Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in Kerala turned violent on June 29, 2026, when BJP councillor Chempazhanthy Udayan allegedly attacked UDF council party leader K.S. Sabarinadhan and two Congress women councillors. The meeting began amid tensions as opposition LDF and UDF councillors protested the continued presence of BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who was arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act and is held at Viyyur Central Prison. After the Mayor rushed through agenda items and closed the meeting, a scuffle broke out over possession of the attendance register and minutes book, which the UDF alleged the BJP sought to destroy to aid Sugathan's legal case. The UDF had planned a no-confidence motion but did not proceed due to uncertainty over LDF support.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.LDF to intensify protests demanding removal of BJP councillor Sugathan in Thiruvananthapuram
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Thiruvananthapuram plans to escalate protests against BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who has been arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Act (KAAPA) and is currently held at Viyyur Central Prison. The LDF alleges Sugathan failed to attend council meetings, risking disqualification. LDF Parliamentary Party leader S.P. Deepak also questioned the legality of a High Court-ordered re-swearing-in of 19 councillors, claiming it was conducted secretly. Mayor V.V. Rajesh confirmed the next council meeting on June 29 and stated the BJP is prepared for a potential no-confidence motion. The Mayor also announced plans to demand a forensic audit of Smart City projects, including the Palayam Market rehabilitation and electric bus tenders.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Mayor and Councillors Booked After Clash at Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
Museum police in Thiruvananthapuram registered separate cases against BJP councillors, including Mayor V.V. Rajesh, and CPI(M) ward members on June 26, 2026, following a clash at the City Corporation office a day earlier. The cases were filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions for unlawful assembly, rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult, and wrongful restraint. The confrontation occurred when Mayor Rajesh and BJP councillors attempted to enter the Mayor's office, and CPI(M) councillors reportedly blocked them, leading to a scuffle in which several councillors, including the Mayor, sustained injuries. The CPI(M) has been demanding the resignation of BJP councillor R. Sugathan, recently arrested under KAAPA. The clash also followed a Kerala High Court order invalidating oaths taken by several BJP councillors using non-standard forms. CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan accused the Mayor of triggering the confrontation. The BJP-led NDA assumed power in the Corporation in December 2025.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Scuffle breaks out between LDF and BJP councillors outside Thiruvananthapuram Mayor's office
A scuffle broke out outside the Thiruvananthapuram Mayor's office on June 25, 2026, as Mayor V.V. Rajesh and BJP councillors attempted to enter the office amid a sit-in by LDF councillors. The LDF was protesting against the secrecy of the re-swearing-in of 19 BJP councillors, ordered by the Kerala High Court, and demanding the resignation of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor over the oath-taking controversy. The LDF also called for the ouster of BJP councillor R. Sugathan, recently arrested under KAAPA. During the confrontation, CPI(M) councillor Sindhu Sasi was injured and hospitalized, while nine BJP councillors including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor also sought medical treatment. Both sides accused each other of initiating violence. The UDF accused both the BJP and LDF of deceiving the public and engaging in political violence.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Thiruvananthapuram Corporation sees high drama as LDF protests demand Mayor's resignation
On June 25, 2026, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation witnessed high drama as Left Democratic Front (LDF) councillors escalated protests demanding the resignation of Mayor V.V. Rajesh and Deputy Mayor. The protests follow a Kerala High Court ruling that invalidated the oaths of 20 BJP councillors, leading to a new oath-taking. LDF councillors blocked the Mayor from entering his office, resulting in a scuffle between LDF and BJP councillors. A woman CPI(M) councillor was injured in the melee and hospitalized. The LDF is also demanding the removal of BJP councillor R. Sugathan, arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA). The Home Secretary has approved KAAPA's invocation against Sugathan. The Mayor condemned the violence, claiming BJP councillors were also injured. The LDF argues that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections are invalid after the re-swearing-in of BJP councillors.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala High Court Invalidates Oaths of 20 BJP Councillors and One Congress Member, Orders Retaking
On June 24, 2026, the Kerala High Court invalidated the oaths of 20 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillors in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation and a Congress ward member in Vadakkanchery grama panchayat, Palakkad, ruling that the oaths violated the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994, and the Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. The court found that oaths taken in the names of deities, martyrs, political movements, or local beliefs did not conform to legal requirements for a swearing-in ceremony, which must be in the name of God or a solemn affirmation. The court emphasized that the election of the councillors could not be set aside, as the mandate of the people is supreme. Immediately after the ruling, 19 of the 20 BJP councillors retook their oaths before Mayor V.V. Rajesh; one councillor, R. Sugathan, was absent as he is incarcerated under KAAPA. The Congress member, Sunil Chuvattupadam, was also ordered to retake his oath, with all his previous official acts declared invalid.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.BJP faces challenge in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation as 20 councillors ordered to retake oaths
The Kerala High Court has directed 20 BJP councillors in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation to retake their oaths within four weeks, after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) challenged their original oaths. The controversy arose because the councillors took oaths in the names of various entities like 'Bharath Matha', 'balidaanis' (RSS martyrs), and local deities (e.g., Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Attukal Amma), rather than in the name of God or by solemn affirmation as required by law. Among the councillors is R. Sugathan, a KAAPA detainee with 19 criminal cases currently in Viyyur Central Prison. The court's decision puts the ruling BJP in a tricky position, as the LDF and Congress-led UDF demand Sugathan's removal from the council. The order follows a petition by LDF council party leader S.P. Deepak.
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