Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s first woman IPS officer, R Sreelekha, is set to make her political debut, contesting in the Thiruvananthapuram city corporation elections as a BJP candidate. The move marks a significant step in the party’s aggressive push to capture the prestigious civic body in the state capital ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
BJP’s Strategic Focus on Thiruvananthapuram
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is personally overseeing the party’s campaign in the city, underscoring the importance of this poll battle. The BJP, which has steadily expanded its footprint in Thiruvananthapuram over the last decade, is now targeting the civic body as a key milestone in its broader political ambitions for Kerala.
At present, the Thiruvananthapuram corporation has 100 seats, with the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) holding 52, the BJP-led NDA holding 35, and the Congress-led UDF managing 10. The NDA’s growth has been notable — from just 6 seats in 2010 to 35 seats in both 2015 and 2020 — while the UDF’s influence has declined sharply over the same period.
R Sreelekha’s Debut from Sasthamangalam Ward
Sreelekha, a 1987-batch IPS officer who retired as Director General of Police (DGP), will contest from the Sasthamangalam ward, which is close to her residence. Known for her integrity and professionalism during her service, Sreelekha joined the BJP last year and was appointed party state vice president earlier this year.
“Being born and brought up in the city, I know Thiruvananthapuram well. I am confident of winning my maiden election,” Ms Sreelekha told the media.
Padmini Thomas Also in the Fray
Adding to the party’s star power, former Indian athlete and Arjuna awardee Padmini Thomas will contest from Palayam, in the heart of the city. A former Congress member, she joined the BJP last year. Thomas, an Asian Games medalist, brings both sporting fame and local popularity to the BJP’s campaign.
Congress Fields Prominent Leader K S Sabarinadhan
Meanwhile, the Congress is also gearing up for a tough contest. The party has announced K S Sabarinadhan, former MLA and son of late Congress leader G Karthikeyan, as its candidate. He is being projected as the party’s mayoral face in a bid to reclaim lost ground in the CPM-ruled city corporation.
Significance of the Civic Polls
Though the official notification for the civic polls is yet to be released, political parties are already in full campaign mode. The elections are being viewed as a precursor to the 2026 Assembly polls, making them a key political battleground.
For the BJP, which has been steadily gaining ground in Kerala’s urban centres, winning the Thiruvananthapuram corporation would mark a historic breakthrough in a state long dominated by the Left and Congress fronts.
