BJP Creates History: V.V. Rajesh Elected Thiruvananthapuram Mayor, Ends 45-Year LDF Rule

• V.V. Rajesh, BJP state secretary, was elected Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation with 51 votes.
• This marks BJP's first-ever mayoral win in Thiruvananthapuram, ending 45 years of CPI(M)-led LDF rule.
• Rajesh secured 51 votes (50 BJP councilors + 1 independent), defeating LDF's R.P. Shivaji (29 votes) and UDF's K.S. Sabarinathan (19 votes).
• G.S. Ashanath was declared BJP's candidate for Deputy Mayor; P.L. Babu and Radhika Varma for Thrippunithura Municipality.
• The victory comes ahead of state assembly elections, where BJP has historically struggled, having only one MLA and one MP from Kerala.

Why It Matters: BJP achieves a historic first, electing its mayor in Thiruvananthapuram and ending decades of LDF rule.