Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council tensions as UDF and BJP trade assault allegations

The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council saw heightened tensions after a ruckus followed the meeting, with the UDF and the BJP trading assault allegations. Strain had already been high after clashes outside Mayor V V Rajesh’s chamber that injured LDF and BJP councillors. Separate LDF and UDF protests were held ahead of the session.

The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council saw fresh disorder on Monday after its meeting ended. The UDF and the BJP blamed each other for assaults during a clash near the attendance register. The dispute unfolded amid heightened friction in the Corporation after recent injuries to councillors and continuing legal and political disagreements.

Tension had been building even before the session began. It followed recent clashes outside Mayor V V Rajesh’s chamber, where several LDF and BJP councillors were hurt. On Monday, both the LDF and the UDF held separate protests outside the Corporation office. LDF members injured earlier also attended after discharge from hospital.

Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council ruckus and claims over attendance register

TV visuals showed CPI(M) councillors raising placards as Mayor Rajesh entered the hall. The placards sought the resignation of BJP councillor Sugathan. Sugathan was arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act in connection with criminal cases. The mayor then said all agenda items were approved and adjourned the meeting.

After LDF councillors left, the situation worsened when UDF members went to sign the attendance register. UDF leader K S Sabarinadhan accused BJP Education Standing Committee Chairman Chempazhanthy Udayan of attacking Congress councillors. The allegation also covered women members who tried to sign the register.

"We realised the danger of not signing the attendance register, as it could be tampered with to avoid recording the absence of councillor Sugathan. So we decided to sign the register,\" Sabarinadhan told reporters. Sabarinadhan also alleged Udayan abused women members and then manhandled them during the dispute.

Sabarinadhan further claimed Udayan tore Udayan’s own shirt during the commotion. Sabarinadhan alleged that the register was later grabbed. Sabarinadhan said pages were torn from it. After the incident, UDF councillors protested and said legal options against BJP councillors were being considered.

Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council BJP response and counter-allegations

The BJP denied the UDF claims and offered a different account. BJP councillors alleged Sabarinadhan and other UDF members tried to tamper with the attendance register. According to BJP members, when efforts were made to stop this, UDF councillors assaulted Udayan during the scuffle.

The confrontation came as political tensions continued in the Corporation after a Kerala High Court ruling. The court invalidated the oath taken by several BJP councillors. It held they invoked names other than God. It also said some used words beyond the prescribed oath or affirmation form.

Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council case filed and investigation details

The LDF has also questioned the later oath taken by BJP councillors after the High Court order. The LDF said the fresh oath was not taken as per the required procedure. These disputes have added to conflict inside the council, where party lines have stayed sharply divided.

Police registered a case against four BJP councillors based on a complaint by two Congress councillors. Museum police named Udayan, Giri, Ratheesh and Pappanamcode Saji in the case. Police said Congress councillors Sherly S and Anitha Alex lodged the complaint about Monday’s incident.

Police said sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita were applied, including wrongful restraint and voluntarily causing hurt. A detailed investigation was launched, police added. Police also said some BJP councillors, including Udayan, sought hospital treatment after the incident. However, police said no formal complaint was received from them so far.

The latest allegations surfaced as the Corporation remained politically tense since the NDA took power in December 2025. The BJP-led NDA formed the council by winning 50 of 101 seats. This ended the LDF’s 45-year rule. The Congress-led UDF had planned a no-confidence motion, but did not move it.

With inputs from PTI