The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led administration in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Council on Friday, 31 July secured a six-month leave of absence for jailed councillor R. Sugathan, shielding him from disqualification under the Kerala Municipality Act. The vote, passed amid dramatic scenes of protest, was a crucial test of the BJP's slender grip on the 101-member council — the first municipal corporation in Kerala it has ever governed.

Why Sugathan Faced Disqualification

R. Sugathan, the councillor representing Vazhottukonam ward, is currently lodged in Viyyur Central Jail under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). Under the Kerala Municipality Act, a councillor who is absent from three consecutive council meetings without prior leave approval is liable to lose membership. With Sugathan unable to attend proceedings from jail, the BJP moved swiftly to prevent an automatic vacancy.

How the Vote Unfolded

Sugathan had initially sought permission from the State Government to attend the council meeting from Viyyur Jail, but the request was rejected. The government's communication, however, advised him that he could apply to the Corporation Council for leave. Acting on that guidance, the leave application was placed before the council under Section 91K of the Kerala Municipality Act.

Mayor V.V. Rajesh stated that 51 members ultimately backed the proposal. With the BJP holding 49 seats — two short of the 51-vote majority required in the 101-member house — the support of two independent councillors proved decisive. Mayor Rajesh also exercised his casting vote in favour of the motion.

'The government rejected the request. However, in the same communication, it informed him that he could apply to the Corporation Council for leave. Acting on that advice, the leave application was submitted and approved by the Council under Section 91K of the Kerala Municipality Act,' Mayor Rajesh told reporters after the meeting.

Opposition's Protest and Arguments

Anticipating the contentious agenda, both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) entered the well of the house carrying placards and staged a noisy protest, demanding the application be rejected. The opposition argued that granting six months' leave to a councillor detained under the KAAPA law was without precedent and amounted to an extraordinary concession to a person facing serious criminal proceedings. Traditionally, such leave is granted only for reasons such as illness or unavoidable personal circumstances, they contended.

The BJP, however, maintained that the council was merely exercising a statutory power available under the Municipality Act. Mayor Rajesh dismissed allegations of impropriety, insisting the Corporation had acted strictly within the legal framework.

Political Significance for the BJP in Kerala

The outcome carries considerable weight beyond the immediate procedural question. The BJP scripted history in December last year by wresting control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from the Left after more than four decades of uninterrupted rule — marking the first time the party had captured a municipal corporation in Kerala. Friday's vote was, in effect, a live stress-test of its ability to hold that majority together.

Notably, the meeting had begun on a positive note, with the Corporation honouring employees for making it the first local body in Kerala to complete the State's digital census. The atmosphere shifted sharply once Sugathan's leave application came up for consideration.

What Comes Next

While the BJP has averted Sugathan's immediate disqualification, the controversy appears far from settled. Both the LDF and the UDF have indicated they are exploring legal options to challenge the council's decision. The six-month leave window means the question of Sugathan's status is likely to resurface if his detention continues beyond that period.