BJP launches satyagraha against LDF-led "illegal" appointments in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 19 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) began a day-long satyagraha in front of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation office on Saturday, protesting against what it alleges are illegal appointments made by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration in the civic body.
The protest, which commenced in the morning and is scheduled to continue until evening, also witnessed a controversy over the alleged disrespect of the national flag. BJP workers claimed they found the national flag hoisted atop the Corporation office in a torn condition.
Reacting sharply, they accused the Corporation authorities of dishonouring the Tricolour and organised a protest demanding immediate corrective action.
Speaking to ANI, BJP councillor V V Rajesh said that a formal complaint would be filed against the Corporation officials for what he termed as an "insult".
Meanwhile, the BJP's main demand remains the cancellation of the appointments it alleges were made bypassing legal procedures and in violation of merit. The party claims that these backdoor appointments are part of a larger pattern of administrative malpractice within the LDF-controlled Corporation.
The LDF has not officially responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
A couple of days ago, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers staged a protest in front of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation office with similar allegations. The protestors demanded the resignation of Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran over the alleged irregularities.
Earlier Kerala BJP state President Rajiv Chandrasekhar launched an attack on the education system in the state after the collapse of a school building.
"Kerala's education sector is collapsing, just like its healthcare system. The incidents at Kottayam Medical College and Thevalakkara Boys' School in Kollam weren't accidents but the result of willful negligence that amounts to manslaughter. At Thevalakkara school, an illegal shed stood for over a decade despite repeated warnings from teachers and parents about the live electric line. The CPM-controlled management, led by the local secretary, ignored the risks. Shockingly, the Congress-led panchayat issued the fitness certificate, and the KSEB also bears responsibility for the tragedy. This isn't an isolated case. Across Kerala, public schools are in disrepair, lacking even basic infrastructure...a stark reflection of a crumbling education system. Just today, an aided school building collapsed in Kadammanitta, Pathanamthitta. A major tragedy was narrowly avoided only because it happened at night. Those responsible for the tragic incident in Thevalakkara, Kollam--the panchayat, school, and KSEB authorities--must be booked for culpable homicide. Such incidents must never be allowed to recur in Kerala," he said.