{
  "id": 11916334,
  "title": "BJP steps up demand for Thiruvananthapuram Corporation CPI(M) councillor’s resignation over bribery allegations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/bjp-steps-up-demand-for-thiruvananthapuram-corporation-cpi-m",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T11:35:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/bjp-steps-up-demand-for-thiruvananthapuram-corporation-cpim-councillors-resignation-over-bribery-allegations/article71543138.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is intensifying its demand for the resignation of Communist Party of India (Marxist) councillor Ajin S. from the Thrikannapuram ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The BJP alleges that Ajin demanded a bribe of ₹10 lakh from landowner Sanju to resolve a dispute over a plot he purchased in the ward. The purported video of the incident began circulating two days ago. Sanju claims that Ajin approached him, citing liability and encroachment issues with the land. He subsequently filed complaints with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner. However, Ajin denies the allegations, stating that the video is fabricated and edited. He claims the video is being circulated to discredit him as he opposed attempts to commercially exploit government land. BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar called for a full debate and immediate action, requesting Mayor V.V. Rajesh to place the matter before the Council. Mayor Rajesh stated that the Corporation has not yet filed a complaint and that legal aspects are being examined. CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan announced that the party will conduct an internal inquiry into the allegations against Ajin. He also mentioned that the Thiruvananthapuram district committee would handle the inquiry. United Democratic Front Parliamentary Party Leader K.S. Sabarinadhan described the allegations as extremely serious, stating that if proven true, they would constitute a grave breach of public trust and possibly violate the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and Kerala Municipality Act 1994.",
  "summary": "A video has been circulating showing a CPI(M) councillor in Thiruvananthapuram demanding ₹10 lakh from a resident, Sanju, to resolve issues with a plot he purchased. The councillor's party affiliation is reported by The Hindu.\n\nThe Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, V V Rajesh, has stated that BJP councillor R Sreelekha has not resigned and will continue in her post, according to The Economic Times. This contradicts a message allegedly posted by Sreelekha in a WhatsApp group claiming she had submitted her resignation.\n\nThe Mayor said he had received a letter from Sreelekha on September 30, but had not forwarded it to the Corporation Secretary, who is the authority to accept resignations. He cited that personal inconveniences were mentioned in the letter, but later clarified that no resignation letter existed.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Thiruvananthapuram mayor says Sreelekha has not resigned, will continue as councillor",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/thiruvananthapuram-mayor-says-sreelekha-has-not-resigned-will",
        "published": "2026-10-04T08:13:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}