Thiruvananthapuram witnessed a historic political shift as R Sreelekha, Kerala’s first woman IPS officer and former Director General of Police, secured a decisive victory in the Sasthamangalam division during the civic polls. Her win comes as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wrested control of the city’s Corporation from the CPI(M) after 45 years, emerging as the single largest party with 50 wards. The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front won 29 seats, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front secured 19, and independents took two.

The 64-year-old retired police officer entered the polls as a high-profile BJP candidate and achieved a record margin in her ward. Though the BJP fell one seat short of an absolute majority, the results mark a decisive political shift in a city long considered a Left stronghold. Speculation is now rife that Sreelekha could be chosen as the party’s first mayor in Thiruvananthapuram. Responding to questions, she said the decision rests with the BJP leadership but expressed gratitude to voters for their overwhelming support.

Born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, Sreelekha made history in January 1987 by becoming Kerala’s first woman IPS officer. Over her 33-year career, she served across districts and held key roles in agencies including the CBI, Kerala Crime Branch, Vigilance, Fire Force, Motor Vehicles Department, and the Prison Department. Her reputation for conducting anti-corruption operations during her CBI tenure earned her the nickname “Raid Sreelekha.”

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In 2017, she was promoted to Director General of Police, becoming the first woman in Kerala to reach the rank. She retired in December 2020 after more than three decades of service. Post-retirement, she remained in the public eye with her commentary on high-profile cases and controversies, often drawing attention for her outspoken views.

Sreelekha formally joined the BJP in October 2024, stating she was influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She emphasized that during her police career she had served without political affiliation, but her entry into politics marked a new chapter. Her victory in Sasthamangalam has now positioned her as one of the most prominent faces of the BJP’s breakthrough in Kerala’s capital.

With the BJP’s unprecedented rise in Thiruvananthapuram, all eyes are on whether R Sreelekha will be chosen to lead the Corporation. If selected, she would not only become the party’s first mayor in the city but also add another milestone to her trailblazing career, transitioning from Kerala’s “top cop” to a political leader in a historic moment for the state.

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