Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 1 (NationPress) Following a remarkable achievement as the first mayor from the BJP in Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor V.V. Rajesh expressed his enthusiasm upon receiving a congratulatory letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sharing on his social media platform, Rajesh stated, “This acknowledgment is the New Year’s present bestowed upon Kerala by our Honorable Prime Minister. The political transformation in Thiruvananthapuram stems from years of dedication by BJP workers in the state. This acknowledgment is a New Year’s gift for Kerala from Modiji,” he shared alongside the letter.

Notably, there are six Corporations in the state, and Rajesh made history by being elected as the first BJP mayor in Kerala after the NDA secured 50 seats in the 101-member council.

The BJP achieved a significant milestone, reaching a total of 61 seats through the support of one of the two Independents.

The party successfully took control of the Corporation from the CPI(M)-led Left Front, which had held power for over four decades.

In his letter, PM Modi congratulated Rajesh and deputy mayor Asha Nath, emphasizing that the BJP’s triumph in the Kerala capital reflects the people's trust in the party’s vision for progress and effective governance.

“Amid the festive season and as we usher in the year 2026, history was made in the magnificent city of Thiruvananthapuram when you took the oath as Mayor,” the Prime Minister remarked, noting that this event would “truly indicate” a significant political transformation.

Recalling his experiences in the city, PM Modi acknowledged that Thiruvananthapuram holds “a cherished position in the hearts of every Malayali” and is “graced by Sree Padmanabhaswamy.”

He highlighted that as Kerala's capital, the city has been home to “thought leaders, social reformers, artists, musicians, poets, cultural icons, saints, and sages,” stating that the BJP being favored by such a city is “deeply humbling.”

“Our aspiration to create a developed Thiruvananthapuram has resonated with citizens from all walks of life,” wrote the Prime Minister, pointing out that voters have acknowledged the work of the BJP-led government at the national level and its initiatives for urban advancement across various states.

Expressing gratitude to the city's residents, he said, “I appreciate the warmth extended by the people of this city.”

The Prime Minister emphasized that this victory has brought “immense joy and pride” to BJP workers in Kerala and throughout India.

“Empowered by the blessings of the Thiruvananthapuram populace, what has transpired is historic. It is a landmark achievement written in golden letters,” he stated.

“The triumph of our Party in Kerala's capital indicates that the state's populace, particularly the youth and women, are poised for a new beginning. The BJP-NDA is emerging as the people's choice, grounded in nationalism without exclusion, development devoid of corruption, and governance free from appeasement. The pretense of friendship between the LDF and UDF in Delhi, while being ‘rivals’ in Kerala, is nearing an end. Kerala seeks to escape their unfulfilled promises,” the PM concluded in his letter.

In the meantime, the top BJP officials in the state have announced their anticipation for PM Modi's visit to the state capital later this month, which could mark the commencement of the BJP’s Assembly election campaign.

The Assembly elections are anticipated to take place in April/May, and following their victory in the Corporation, the state party unit is poised to ensure they secure a foothold in the 140-member Kerala Assembly.

In 2016, O. Rajagopal, a veteran BJP leader, became the party’s inaugural legislator by winning the Nemom Assembly seat, though the party failed to maintain that position in the 2021 elections.