BJP councillors face fraud, welfare scam charges in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

Thiruvananthapuram: Two BJP councillors in the city are under intense scrutiny following serious allegations involving corruption and misuse of authority in their respective wards.
In Punnakkamugal, BJP councillor P V Manju has been accused of attempting to suppress a financial fraud worth 3 lakh, allegedly committed under the leadership of the consortium president of the Haritha Karma Sena unit. The funds were meant for the salaries of 13 Haritha Karma Sena members, whose payments had been delayed for months.

Haritha Karma Sena Workers

A preliminary inquiry, initiated based on a report from the Junior Health Inspector, found glaring irregularities. Mayor Arya Rajendran has now tasked the Health Secretary with conducting a detailed investigation. Meanwhile, the mayor also met with Haritha Karma Sena members at the Corporation office to discuss the matter directly.
Typically, user fees collected from households are deposited into a joint account operated by the consortium president and secretary, from which monthly wages are disbursed. However, months of poor financial record keeping and salary delays culminated in the June wages being withheld well past the due date. When members raised complaints, a probe revealed a discrepancy of 3 lakh rupees in the account.

P V Manju, G S Ashanath

Following the discovery, the mayor recommended the immediate removal of both the consortium president and secretary. Despite previous complaints and salary delays, the councillor claimed ignorance of the situation. P V Manju herself has faced earlier complaints in the Corporation over alleged financial misconduct, prompting calls for a broader inquiry.
Meanwhile, in a separate but equally serious issue, BJP middlemen have been accused of controlling public access to welfare benefits in several wards, particularly in Pappanamcode, represented by BJP councillor G S Ashanath. Local residents allege that intermediaries affiliated with the BJP have monopolised even the distribution of application forms for Corporation schemes.
Although these forms are officially free, the middlemen allegedly collect money and, in some cases, bribes or gifts in exchange for ensuring benefits reach selected residents. Access is reportedly being restricted to those who show loyalty or political interest in these intermediaries.
Ironically, it was councillor Ashanath herself who revealed the presence of such middlemen through a social media post, indirectly confirming the malpractice. She has since informed the BJP leadership and warned that she will approach the police if no internal action is taken.
These twin controversies have sparked outrage and raised critical questions about corruption, exploitation, and political control at the ward level. The Corporation is now expected to take strict action as investigations progress. Public criticism is mounting, with many accusing the BJP of misusing power to exploit the underprivileged and manipulate access to public welfare.