Clashes erupt at corporation over oath controversy

T’puram: The city corporation turned into a flashpoint on Thursday when CPM and BJP councillors clashed outside the mayor’s office, as CPM pressed for the resignation of mayor V V Rajesh and the deputy mayor Asha Nath G S over the controversy surrounding oath-taking of BJP councillors.The flare-up followed the high court’s order a day earlier, setting aside the oath taken by several BJP councillors. The court ruled that they had sworn in the names of specific deities, rather than “in the name of God” or by making a solemn affirmation and directed all 20 to take the oath afresh within four weeks. The corporation acted at once, convening a special ceremony the same evening at which 19 councillors retook their oath.

The CPM alleged that this fresh oath was also irregular.The protest on Thursday turned violent when CPM councillors and workers prevented Rajesh from entering his office. BJP councillors intervened, triggering scuffles between the two sides. Amid the pushing and shoving, the mayor and senior CPM leader Vanchiyoor Babu reportedly fell to the ground. Police who intervened were also allegedly manhandled before they enabled the mayor to enter his chamber.

Two councillors were injured, CPM councillor Sindhu Sasi and BJP councillor Deepa Peroorkada. Police said several women councillors were hurt and some were shifted to hospital.“If they block the mayor’s office and prevent people from entering, how will public work be carried out?” Rajesh told reporters. He said he would not bow to “any kind of goondaism” and that the opposition could protest democratically and approach the court.

CPM leaders alleged that BJP councillors had resorted to violence and claimed one of their women councillors suffered a head injury and was hospitalised.The agitation stems from the high court order declaring invalid the oath-taking conducted on Dec 21 for 20 BJP councillors, on a petition by CPM parliamentary party leader S P Deepak, who argued that a separate swearing-in for certain councillors violated established procedures.The UDF and the LDF contend that the fresh oath was irregular and that decisions taken with the participation of the 20 councillors, including the election of the mayor, deputy mayor and standing committee members, have become legally untenable. Deepak has indicated he will approach the court again.CPM has also demanded the resignation of BJP councillor R Sugathan, recently arrested in an assault case. The state home secretary has approved invoking Kaapa against him. Sugathan is expected to move the high court to retake the oath and approach the Kaapa advisory board for relief.The BJP-led NDA assumed power in the corporation in Dec 2025, ending the LDF’s 45-year rule by winning 50 of the 101 seats.