Thiruvananthapuram, October 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Kerala Director General of Police R. Sreelekha, the first woman to hold the rank of DGP in the state, has resigned as a BJP councillor representing the Sasthamangalam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, in a move that has taken the party by surprise.
Sreelekha, who was elected from Sasthamangalam in December 2025 with a comfortable majority, announced her decision in a message to residents of the ward. She said her resignation was a personal matter and that she had submitted her letter to Corporation Mayor V.V. Rajesh on September 30, citing personal reasons. She added that a copy of the letter would be submitted to the Thiruvananthapuram district collector.
However, the resignation has raised questions about the formal procedure. Corporation Secretary said he was yet to receive Sreelekha’s resignation letter, adding that, under the rules, it should be submitted to the secretary. Mayor Rajesh, meanwhile, said he had received the letter.
Deputy Mayor Asha G. Nath said she was unaware of Sreelekha’s resignation and learned about it through the media.
Sreelekha’s departure comes less than a year after her electoral debut and as the BJP governs the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation for the first time. She entered electoral politics after retiring from the police service and was fielded as a high-profile BJP candidate.
Her candidature had attracted attention amid reports that she had been assured the mayor’s post if the BJP came to power in the Corporation. The BJP emerged as the single largest party in the 101-member council and formed the administration with the support of Independent councillor P. Radhakrishnan.
However, the party chose BJP leader V.V. Rajesh, a full-time politician, as mayor instead of Sreelekha. The decision reportedly disappointed some of her supporters and became a topic of discussion within party circles.
Differences between Sreelekha and sections of the BJP leadership had also reportedly surfaced after she joined the Corporation. While her resignation has renewed focus on those reported differences, she has publicly cited only personal reasons for stepping down.
A few months after winning the Corporation election, Sreelekha was also fielded by the BJP in the Vattiyoorkavu Assembly constituency, where she finished third.
The BJP currently has the support of 50 councillors. Sreelekha’s exit would reduce that number to 49, making the support of Independents significant for the administration in the 101-member council. Her resignation could also lead to a by-election in Sasthamangalam.
The state BJP leadership is reportedly making efforts to persuade Sreelekha to withdraw her resignation. State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is currently away from the state capital.
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