Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) and 1987-batch IPS officer R Sreelekha has explained the circumstances that prompted her to consider resigning as a councillor of the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation. The former police chief, who made history as Kerala’s first woman IPS officer and later its first woman DGP, said that mounting public expectations, administrative delays, inadequate office facilities and deteriorating health had made her responsibilities increasingly difficult.
Speaking through her YouTube channel, Sasneham Sreelekha, the BJP councillor said that she had been under immense pressure while attempting to address civic problems in the Sasthamangalam ward.
She compared the experience to asking someone who had served as a Director General of Police to perform the duties of a constable, highlighting the contrast between her previous administrative responsibilities and the challenges of working at the grassroots level.
However, Sreelekha made it clear that she had neither resigned from the BJP nor intended to join another political party. She also dismissed suggestions that her dissatisfaction was connected to not being appointed Mayor.
R Sreelekha Clarifies: ‘I Will Remain a Proud BJP Member’
Addressing speculation surrounding her resignation threat, Sreelekha reiterated her commitment to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
She said she would remain a proud member of the BJP for the rest of her life and described it as the best national political party in her view. The former DGP also identified herself as a supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rejecting suggestions that she had considered stepping down because she was not appointed Mayor, Sreelekha questioned why the issue was still being raised nine months later.
According to her, that chapter was already in the past and had no connection with the difficulties she was currently experiencing as a councillor.
She further clarified that she had no intention of joining another political organisation.
‘Not Even a Day of Rest’: Former DGP Describes Pressure of Councillor’s Job
Sreelekha said the responsibilities of representing the Sasthamangalam ward had become physically and mentally exhausting.
She explained that residents expected her presence whenever an event, public grievance or local problem arose.
Although she generally responded to such requests, the continuous demands eventually became overwhelming.
She said she had been moving from one responsibility to another without even getting a day of rest on Sundays.
According to the former police chief, there comes a point when an elected representative begins to feel that the workload has become impossible to manage.
Her remarks offered an insight into the challenges of transitioning from senior police administration to local electoral politics, where councillors are expected to respond directly to residents’ everyday problems.
No Anganwadi, Inadequate Health Facilities: Civic Problems in Sasthamangalam
Sreelekha identified several unresolved civic issues in the Sasthamangalam ward that had contributed to her frustration.
One major concern was the absence of an anganwadi facility in the ward.
She also highlighted the lack of a dedicated building for the local primary health centre.
According to Sreelekha, elderly residents were forced to travel to Nanthancodu even for basic medical requirements such as injections.
She said that despite considerable efforts to identify and clear a suitable location for a public toilet, the necessary permission had still not been granted.
These unresolved issues, she explained, had made it difficult for her to deliver improvements that residents expected from their elected representative.
Broken Chair, Non-Functional Computer and Wi-Fi: Sreelekha Reveals Office Conditions
The former DGP also described the inadequate facilities at her councillor’s office.
According to her, the office computer, printer, Wi-Fi and telephone connection were all non-functional.
She said that even the only chair available in the office was broken and worn out.
Sreelekha explained that sitting on the damaged chair caused her back pain, adding to the physical difficulties she was already experiencing.
Despite these conditions, she said she continued working and trying to address residents’ grievances.
Her account highlighted the practical difficulties she said she faced while carrying out routine councillor responsibilities.
‘Submitted 12 to 13 Letters to Mayor’: Sreelekha Alleges Administrative Delays
Sreelekha said she had submitted approximately 12 to 13 letters to the Mayor concerning various unresolved issues.
However, she acknowledged that the Mayor’s authority had limitations.
She explained that the Mayor generally marked the representations and forwarded them to the relevant departments or administrative sections for further action. According to her, the difficulties often arose after the files reached those offices.
Sreelekha alleged that some clerks, superintendents and other officials could be politically sympathetic to the party that had controlled the corporation for several decades.
She suggested that proposals submitted by BJP councillors could consequently remain pending without timely action.
These were allegations made by Sreelekha in her public remarks, rather than independently established findings.
She said councillors were then forced to repeatedly approach the concerned officials to follow up on their requests.
The repeated visits, delays and lack of resolution had become exhausting, she explained.
Health Deteriorated, Blood Pressure Increased: Why She Threatened to Resign
Sreelekha revealed that the prolonged stress eventually affected her health. She said her blood pressure increased significantly and she became unwell.
The former DGP also described unpleasant experiences in a WhatsApp group used for sharing announcements and updates concerning councillors. According to her, some members of the group had made derogatory remarks about her.
She said she was admitted to hospital when she informed the group that she had submitted a resignation letter to the Mayor.
Sreelekha explained that her decision to threaten resignation arose from the continuing delays in resolving civic problems and the pressure she had been facing.
She had warned the Mayor that she would resign as councillor if the outstanding issues were not addressed.
BJP Leaders Visited Hospital, Persuaded Her to Continue
Sreelekha said senior BJP leaders visited her in hospital after learning about the situation.
They spoke to her and attempted to console her. According to the former DGP, their intervention was the reason she decided to continue serving as councillor.
She clarified that she remains in office and continues to be associated with the BJP.
Her explanation indicates that the resignation threat was linked to the difficulties she faced in performing her duties rather than a decision to leave the party.
Who Is R Sreelekha? Kerala’s First Woman IPS Officer and First Woman DGP
R Sreelekha is one of Kerala’s most prominent former police officers.
A 1987-batch Indian Police Service officer, she made history by becoming the state’s first woman IPS officer.
Over a career spanning approximately 33 years, she held several important positions in the Kerala Police and other law-enforcement organisations.
She later became Kerala’s first woman Director General of Police, breaking another significant barrier for women in the state’s police administration.
During her career, Sreelekha became particularly well known for her work in anti-corruption investigations.
Her involvement in raids and investigations during her association with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) earned her the nickname ‘Raid Sreelekha’.
She also headed important departments, including the Prisons Department and Fire and Rescue Services.
Sreelekha retired from the IPS in 2020.
From IPS Officer to Author, YouTuber and BJP Councillor Apart from her career in policing, Sreelekha is also known for her literary activities.
She has authored nine books in Malayalam and established a presence on digital platforms through her YouTube channel, Sasneham Sreelekha.
Following her retirement from police service, she entered politics by joining the BJP. She subsequently contested local body elections and was elected as a councillor of the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation.
Her political journey marked a transition from overseeing major law-enforcement institutions to handling civic issues at the ward level. The latest controversy has brought attention to the difficulties she says she has encountered in that transition.
Despite the pressure and her earlier threat to resign, Sreelekha has reiterated that she remains committed to the BJP and will continue as a councillor following the intervention of senior party leaders.
Read also: Who Is R Sreelekha? Former Kerala DGP Resigns as BJP Councillor in Thiruvananthapuram
