Thiruvananthapuram,25 Dec (H.S.):The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday announced former district president V V Rajesh as its candidate for the mayoral post of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, following dramatic last-minute developments within the party.

The decision was formally announced by BJP state general secretary S Suresh. Until late Wednesday night, the name of former Director General of Police R Sreelakha had been doing the rounds as the frontrunner for the mayor’s position.

However, intense internal deliberations and resistance from a section of BJP councillors led to a sudden change in plans on Thursday morning.

Sources said there was unease within the party over appointing a political novice to the top post of the civic body. Senior BJP leaders from Kerala reportedly conveyed to the central leadership that completely sidelining Rajesh would be inappropriate, and that handing over the mayoral reins to someone without political or administrative experience could pose challenges in effectively running the Corporation.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leadership is also said to have backed Rajesh, strengthening his case. Following this, the BJP high command revised its decision, dropping Sreelakha from mayoral consideration.

The move came amid strong objections from the camp led by V Muraleedharan, which reportedly conveyed its protest directly to BJP national president J P Nadda.

Subsequently, BJP leaders held discussions with Sreelakha and informed her of the revised decision. She will not be fielded for either the mayor or deputy mayor post.

Rajesh has been elected as a councillor to the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation for the second consecutive term. He won from the Kodungannur division and is considered a seasoned organisational hand within the party.

For the post of deputy mayor, the BJP has decided to field three-term councillor Asha Nath.

The election for the mayor and deputy mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will be held on Friday. In the 101-member civic body, the BJP has secured 50 seats, making the mayoral contest a closely watched political event in the state capital.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman