Kerala’s Trailblazing IPS Officer R. Sreelekha Enters Politics: BJP Bets Big on Thiruvananthapuram Civic Polls Before 2026 Showdown
Kerala’s first woman IPS officer, R. Sreelekha, is all set to step into the political arena as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate in the upcoming Thiruvananthapuram city corporation elections. Her entry signals a key move in the BJP’s plan to strengthen its hold on the state capital before the 2026 Assembly elections.
BJP Eyes Thiruvananthapuram as Strategic Stronghold
BJP’s state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is personally leading the party’s campaign in Thiruvananthapuram, reflecting the high stakes attached to this election. Over the past decade, the BJP has gradually built a strong presence in the city and now aims to take control of the civic body — a symbolic and strategic victory ahead of the larger state polls.
Currently, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has 100 wards. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) holds a majority with 52 seats, the BJP-led NDA controls 35, and the Congress-led UDF has 10. The BJP’s growth has been remarkable — from just 6 seats in 2010 to 35 in both 2015 and 2020 — while the Congress’s numbers have steadily fallen.
R. Sreelekha’s Political Debut from Sasthamangalam
A 1987-batch IPS officer who retired as the Director General of Police, Sreelekha will contest from the Sasthamangalam ward, located close to her residence. Widely respected for her honesty and dedication during her police service, she joined the BJP last year and was appointed the party’s state vice president earlier this year.
“Thiruvananthapuram is my hometown — I understand its people and their needs. I’m confident that they will trust me in this new role,” Sreelekha told reporters.
Sports Icon Padmini Thomas Joins the Electoral Battle
Adding further momentum to the BJP’s campaign, former Indian athlete and Arjuna Award recipient Padmini Thomas will contest from the Palayam ward in central Thiruvananthapuram. Once associated with the Congress, she switched to the BJP in 2023. Her sports achievements and popularity among locals are expected to give the party an added boost.
Congress Counters with K. S. Sabarinadhan
The Congress, aiming to regain its foothold in the capital, has fielded K. S. Sabarinadhan — a former MLA and the son of late Congress stalwart G. Karthikeyan. Sabarinadhan is being positioned as the party’s mayoral face and is expected to lead its campaign against both the LDF and BJP.
Why the Thiruvananthapuram Civic Polls Matter
Although the Election Commission is yet to issue the official notification, political parties have already begun full-scale campaigning. The civic elections are being widely viewed as a political dress rehearsal for the 2026 Assembly elections.
For the BJP, a victory in Thiruvananthapuram would mark a major milestone — signaling its arrival as a serious contender in a state long dominated by the Left and Congress alliances.
