Protests in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation over transfer of officials for issuing notice to BJP for PM Modi flexboards

The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Friday witnessed protests both inside and outside the council over the transfer of three revenue officials who imposed fine on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) district committee for putting up flex boards and banners in the city without permission of the civic body ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit last week.

Corporation employees affiliated to left unions including Kerala NGO Union, Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation Workers’ Association and the Kerala Municipal and Corporation Staff Union (KMCSU), took out a protest march against the BJP-ruled administration and Mayor V.V. Rajesh, alleging that the actions against the officials were politically motivated. While a revenue officer was shifted to the post of council secretary, a superintendent and a revenue inspector were transferred to zonal offices.

The revenue officials had issued a notice for a fine of ₹19.97 lakh to the BJP Thiruvananthapuram district committee for putting up flex boards and banners of PM Modi and other leaders without the Corporation’s permission during his visit to the capital last week. The placement of some of these flex boards had also invited criticism from commuters as well as on social media. While some boards were placed on narrow medians with parts of them extending onto the road and posing danger to motorists, others were placed on footpaths entirely blocking the way, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road. Though the notice was issued on January 23, the BJP district committee has not yet replied to it.

“The revenue officials are bound by Court orders to issue notices against those who put up flex boards without permission and by causing obstruction on public roads. Else, they will be held answerable,” said Kannammoola Vijayan, General Secretary of the Municipal Workers’ Association.

When asked about the transfers during a press conference, the Mayor said that it was a prerogative of the administration.

Later in the afternoon, the council meeting also witnessed heated debates over the issue, with Left Democratic Front (LDF) parliamentary party leader S.P. Deepak accusing the administration of taking revenge on the officials. CPI(M) councillor Vanchiyoor Babu said that the Mayor’s office was functioning like the BJP’s office. Mr. Rajesh said that the revenue officer was shifted due to lax tax collections. He said that an all-party meeting will be convened to arrive at an understanding on the display of flex boards.