RSP councillor in Kochi Corporation jumps ship to BJP

In the first major political shift in Ernakulam district ahead of the upcoming local body elections, Sunitha Dixon, the sitting councillor of the Vytilla division in Kochi Corporation representing the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), has jumped ship to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar formally inducted her into the party at a function held here on Saturday. She, it has emerged, submitted her resignation from the RSP over WhatsApp about a week ago.

Ms. Dixon had been at odds with both her party and the broader United Democratic Front (UDF) ever since she delayed stepping down as chairperson of the works standing committee, contrary to an agreement with the Congress to share the post.

No-confidence motion

Reportedly, the arrangement required her to relinquish the chairpersonship to V.K. Minimol of the Congress for the next three years, followed by councillor Seena Teacher for the remaining six months. However, Ms. Dixon refused to step down, asserting that no such agreement existed. In response, the Congress moved a no-confidence motion against her. Subsequently, both the RSP and the Congress filed an election petition accusing her of violating the party whip. Anticipating disqualification, Ms. Dixon eventually resigned in April 2024.

“Effectively, she has been out of the party since then. We chose not to expel her officially, as that would have allowed her to act independently, disregarding party directives,” said RSP sources.

Ms. Dixon first became a councillor on a Congress ticket from the Vytilla division in 2010. She unsuccessfully contested as a Congress rebel in 2015 before joining the RSP, after the UDF allocated the Vytilla division to that party five years later. With the party poised to overlook her in the upcoming election, she has now joined the BJP.

“The State government was not releasing Central funds for development, which severely impacted progress in the divisions. Centrally-administered schemes like pensions for the elderly were also not being implemented. I want to serve the people, and that requires being in a position of power. That is the sole reason for my decision to join the BJP,” Ms. Dixon said.