Former Kerala DGP R. Sreelekha Resigns as BJP Councillor in Thiruvananthapuram

Sreelekha, who was elected from Sasthamangalam in the December 2025 civic polls, submitted her resignation to Corporation Mayor V.V. Rajesh on September 30, citing personal reasons. She subsequently informed residents of her ward about the decision. Rajesh has confirmed receiving the resignation letter.

The Corporation secretary, however, has said that he had not yet received the resignation. Under the applicable procedure, the resignation is to be submitted to the secretary, while Sreelekha has so far handed it to the Mayor. She is expected to submit a copy to the district collector as well.

Deputy Mayor Asha G. Nath said she learned about the resignation through the media and was not aware of the development beforehand.

Sreelekha's resignation comes less than a year after she entered electoral politics following her retirement from the police service. She was the first woman in Kerala to attain the rank of DGP and was fielded by the BJP as a prominent candidate in the Corporation elections.

The BJP-led NDA emerged as the largest bloc in the 101-member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and formed the administration with the support of an Independent councillor. Following Sreelekha's resignation, the BJP's own strength has fallen to 49, while the ruling arrangement remains dependent on outside support.

Sreelekha's decision has also revived discussion about her earlier differences with sections of the BJP leadership. Reports have linked those tensions to her disappointment over not being chosen as Mayor after the BJP secured control of the Corporation. V.V. Rajesh was ultimately selected for the post. However, Sreelekha has officially cited personal reasons for her resignation.

She later contested the Vattiyoorkavu Assembly constituency as a BJP candidate in the 2026 Kerala Assembly election and finished third, according to reports.

The resignation has prompted BJP leaders to begin efforts to persuade Sreelekha to withdraw it. Mayor Rajesh has said discussions are underway and maintained that the matter would not affect the functioning of the Corporation administration.

If the resignation is formally accepted, the vacancy in the Sasthamangalam ward could lead to a by-election, adding another political dimension to the development.