The Left Democratic Front (LDF)’s decision to contest in the Mayor election in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has added to the drama and uncertainty of the Mayoral contest this time. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has decided to field R.P. Sivaji, councillor and Vilappil Area Secretary of the party, for the Mayor post, but has been tight-lipped about the front’s strategy for the election to be held in the council hall on December 26.
“The CPI(M) district committee has taken the decision on the candidature. There has been no other political discussions in this regard,” says Mr.Sivaji, who has in the past also served as a councillor in the Corporation.
Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) scoring a historic victory at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in the local body elections, it has still fallen one short of the required majority number of 51 in the 101-member council. The two Independent candidates who won in the Kannammoola and Poundkadavu wards have kept their options open. It remains to be seen whether they would bargain for key positions including the Mayorship or the chairperson post of one of the standing committees in exchange for their support.
The LDF’s tally of seats had fallen from 51 seats in 2020 to 29 seats this year. However, the BJP’s inability to get a majority appears to have led the front to contest the Mayor election. Though the election in the Vizhinjam ward is pending, the LDF and the United Democratic Front (UDF) have an upper hand over the BJP in the region.
The BJP itself is caught in a bind regarding its Mayor candidate with former district president V.V.Rajesh, three-time councillor Karamana Ajith and R. Sreelekha, former Director General of Police, in contention. The party is expected to announce the Mayor candidate a day ahead of the elections.
Published – December 22, 2025 07:25 pm IST
