Former Kerala police chief resigns as councillor months after mayor snub

R Sreelekha, a former Kerala police chief and first woman IPS officer in the state, has resigned from her position as councillor of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. The announcement comes months after the BJP-led party failed to make her mayor despite winning control of the civic body. With her resignation, the BJP's strength in the 101-member council has decreased to 49, creating a precarious situation for the party's governance.

Sreelekha, who joined the BJP in October 2024, cited personal reasons for her resignation, though she did not elaborate further. She had been presented as the party's mayoral face during the elections, but at the last minute, things changed. Sreelekha remains committed to continuing her role as a councillor for five years and will not contest the Assembly elections.