Thiruvananthapuram | Tension prevailed at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Thursday after the CPI(M) and BJP councillors were involved in a minor scuffle outside the Mayor's office during protests over a series of recent political developments.
The CPI(M) has been demanding the resignation of BJP councillor R Sugathan, who was recently arrested in an assault case and booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).
The protest also came a day after the Kerala High Court invalidated the oath taken by several BJP councillors in the Corporation after they invoked names other than "God" or used expressions beyond the prescribed form of oath or solemn affirmation.
The CPI(M) has also alleged that the fresh oath taken by the BJP councillors following the High Court order was not in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
Left councillors staged a protest outside the chamber of Mayor V V Rajesh on Thursday.
However, when Rajesh, accompanied by BJP councillors, attempted to enter his office, CPI(M) councillors allegedly blocked his entry, triggering a brief scuffle between members of the two sides, police said.
Several women councillors sustained injuries in the clash and some of them were shifted to the hospital, police added.
Police personnel soon reached the spot and intervened, enabling the Mayor to enter his chamber.
"There were councillors and members of the public with me. If they block the Mayor's office and prevent people from entering, how will public work be carried out?" asked Rajesh, while speaking to reporters.
He said several councillors, mostly women, had suffered injuries in the incident.
"They were free to hold a protest outside and nobody objected. But if the Mayor's office itself is blocked, how will people's work proceed?" he asked.
Rajesh said he would not bow to "any kind of goondaism".
"Why should there be a situation of violence for the Mayor to enter his own office? They can protest democratically and approach the court," he said.
CPI(M) leaders, however, alleged that BJP councillors had resorted to violence and claimed that one of their women councillors had suffered a head injury and was admitted to hospital.
The Left councillors continued their protest outside the Mayor's chamber, raising slogans demanding his resignation.
The BJP-led NDA assumed power in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in December 2025, ending the LDF's 45-year rule by winning 50 of the 101 seats.
