Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated V.V. Rajesh, the newly elected Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, and his deputy, G.S. Asha Nath, on their historic win in the recent local body elections. This victory marks the first time the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come to power in any corporation in Kerala, a state where the political landscape has traditionally been dominated by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF).

In a letter to the Mayor, which Rajesh shared on social media, Modi lauded the BJP's win as an end to the "fixed match" between the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF. He praised the perseverance of BJP workers, accusing the two established fronts of corruption and poor governance. Modi's statement suggests a significant shift in Kerala's political dynamics, where the BJP is now poised to challenge the long-standing dominance of the LDF and UDF.

V.V. Rajesh, a seasoned politician and lawyer, has been active in politics for over 25 years. He previously served as the Thiruvananthapuram district president and the state president of the BJP Yuva Morcha. Rajesh's victory is particularly noteworthy as it puts an end to the four-decade-long reign of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the capital city corporation. He secured 51 votes in the election, gaining support from 50 BJP councillors and one independent member.

The election saw the BJP emerge as the single largest party, securing fifty of the total 101 seats. They secured a simple majority with the backing of an independent councillor. The LDF won 29 seats, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front secured 19. The election in one ward, Vizhinjam, was postponed due to the death of an independent candidate.

Rajesh, who represents the Kodunganoor ward, has been elected to the corporation for a second term. Following the announcement of his candidacy for Mayor, Rajesh stated his commitment to making Thiruvananthapuram one of the best three cities in the country. He also acknowledged the importance of a strong opposition.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by various party leaders, including BJP's state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi, and former president K. Surendran. The BJP's historic win in Thiruvananthapuram marks a significant moment for the party in Kerala and could potentially reshape the state's political future.