‘Promised Mayor Post, Then Sidelined’: R Sreelakha Slams BJP Leadership After Snub

Thiruvananthapuram: R Sreelakha has continued her public criticism of the BJP leadership following her loss of the mayoral position. She said she contested the election based on a promise that she would be made mayor, but in the end, the leadership sidelined her in favour of V V Rajesh. Sreelakha remarked that she walked out telling the BJP leadership “to hell with it,” remembering those who had made her win. She made these candid remarks in an interview with an online media outlet.

“I did not contest the election merely to become a councillor; I entered the fray based on the promise that I would become mayor. Media discussions everywhere were along those lines. I hoped for it till the very last moment. I accept what happened—after all, in politics, decisions are taken according to individual interests,” Sreelakha said, without hiding her disappointment.

Earlier too, Sreelakha had publicly expressed her dissatisfaction at not being given the mayoral post. She left the venue even before the mayor and deputy mayor oath-taking ceremony was completed at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. She walked out while Ashanath was taking charge as Deputy Mayor.

After prolonged uncertainty and internal disputes, the BJP finally announced state secretary Adv. V V Rajesh as its mayoral candidate. Although there were strong discussions about appointing R Sreelakha as mayor, she was dropped due to intense opposition within the party. There was significant division among BJP councillors over her candidature. It was only after ensuring the backing of the RSS faction that V V Rajesh emerged as the final choice.

The BJP had reportedly made major promises to placate Sreelakha, including the offer of a Legislative Assembly seat, and there were also moves to assure her of a position at the central level.