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BJP Breakthrough in Kerala as VV Rajesh Elected Thiruvananthapuram Mayor With 51 Votes
Politics
Published on 24 April 2026
One independent swing vote helped seal BJP’s win
VV Rajesh, the BJP state secretary and Kodunganoor ward councillor, was elected Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, becoming the first BJP mayor in the city. He secured 51 votes with support from 50 BJP councillors and one independent councillor, while LDF’s RP Shivaji received 29 and UDF’s KS Sabarinathan 17.
- VV Rajesh wins the Thiruvananthapuram mayoral race
- BJP majority supported by 50 party councillors plus one independent
- LDF and UDF candidates trail with 29 and 17 votes respectively
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This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
Republic