BJP Makes Historic Breakthrough in Kerala, Wins First Mayoral Post in Thiruvananthapuram

New Delhi: In a rare political shift in Kerala, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won its first-ever mayoral seat in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The party's candidate, V.V. Rajesh, was elected mayor of the city’s corporation, ending nearly 40 years of Left Democratic Front (LDF) control in the state capital's local body.

Who won and how?

Rajesh secured the mayor's post by winning 51 out of 101 votes in the corporation council. The election took place at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation office. One ward in Vizhinjam did not vote, so the election was held for 100 seats. An independent councillor's support helped Rajesh cross the halfway mark.

What does this victory mean?

For the BJP, this is a milestone. Until now, the party had never held the mayor's position in any major Kerala city. The win reflects growing support for the party at the local level in a state long dominated by Left and Congress-led fronts. 

How did other parties fare?

The LDF's candidate, P Sivaji, got 29 votes, while the United Democratic Front (UDF) nominee, K.S. Sabarinathan, received 19. Two ballots were invalid and one councillor abstained. Overall, the UDF secured four of six mayoral posts in other major Kerala cities.

What else stood out in the polls?

Kerala also saw some notable local results beyond Thiruvananthapuram. In Pala municipality, 21-year-old Diya Binu Pulikkankandam became chairperson with UDF support, marking a generational shift in local politics. The BJP also bagged wins in smaller municipalities like Tripunithura and Palakkad, showing incremental gains for the party in the region. 

This result could reshape political dynamics in Kerala’s civic bodies as the state heads toward bigger elections next year.