Thiruvananthapuram,25June (HS) :

Tensions flared at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Thursday as protests by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) demanding the resignation of Mayor V.V. Rajesh and Deputy Mayor Asha Nath over the controversial re-administration of oath to BJP councillors escalated into violent clashes, leaving several people injured.

Mayor V.V. Rajesh, who sustained injuries during the scuffle, was taken to hospital where his leg was put in a plaster cast. Deputy Mayor Asha Nath was also injured, while nearly 15 others, including councillors from both sides, required medical treatment. A CPM woman councillor suffered a head injury and was shifted to hospital.

The confrontation began when CPM councillors allegedly blocked the Mayor from entering the Corporation office. As Rajesh and the Deputy Mayor attempted to enter the premises, LDF councillors tried to stop them, prompting BJP councillors to intervene. Heated exchanges soon turned into pushing and jostling before the Mayor and Deputy Mayor forced their way into the office.

Speaking after the incident, Rajesh questioned the authority of the LDF to prevent an elected Mayor from entering his office. He condemned the violence, alleging that BJP councillors had also been assaulted. The Mayor later left the Corporation office under heavy police protection amid sloganeering by BJP workers and protests from LDF supporters.

Senior CPM leader Kadakampally Surendran, however, accused BJP councillors of provoking the violence. He maintained that LDF councillors had staged only a peaceful protest against what they described as the 'secret' re-administration of oath to BJP councillors.

The political confrontation stems from a recent Kerala High Court order invalidating the oath taken by several BJP councillors after they invoked the names of deities other than the form prescribed under the Kerala Municipalities Act. The court directed the affected councillors to retake the oath within four weeks.

The LDF has alleged that, immediately after the court order was issued on Wednesday evening, the Mayor quietly administered the oath to 19 BJP councillors without informing other members. BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who is facing proceedings under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), was excluded from the exercise. Sugathan is expected to approach the High Court seeking permission to retake the oath and also move the KAAPA Advisory Board for relief.

Meanwhile, the Kerala government is expected to seek legal opinion on complaints that the fresh oath-taking ceremony conducted for the BJP councillors violated statutory procedures.

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman