Thiruvananthpuram, 29 June (H.S.): Dramatic scenes unfolded at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council meeting on Monday after a protest by the United Democratic Front (UDF) demanding the removal of BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who is currently in jail in connection with a Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) case. The protest eventually escalated into a physical confrontation between BJP and UDF councillors inside the council hall.

The council meeting began at around 2.30 p.m., with UDF members immediately raising slogans and demanding that Sugathan be removed from the council. Amid the protests, the presiding authorities proceeded with the agenda and declared the meeting concluded after passing the listed items.

However, tensions escalated immediately after the meeting ended. UDF Parliamentary Party leader Shabareenathan signed and examined the attendance register when a group of BJP councillors, led by Chempazhanthy Udayan, approached him demanding access to the register. A heated verbal exchange quickly spiralled into a scuffle, with councillors from both sides pushing and shoving each other.

The confrontation intensified as members from both parties allegedly tried to gain control of the attendance register. There were also attempts to tear and damage the register during the melee, further adding to the chaos inside the council hall.

UDF leaders alleged that their women councillors were selectively assaulted during the confrontation. Speaking to the media later, UDF women councillors said the party would consult its leadership before initiating legal action against those responsible for the alleged attacks.

The BJP, however, rejected the allegations and accused Shabareenathan of attempting to alter the attendance register. The party further alleged that the UDF had acted as a B-team of the CPI(M) during the proceedings.

The incident has triggered fresh political controversy in the state, with both parties trading allegations over responsibility for the violence that disrupted the council proceedings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman