Sun Nov 09 14:32:55 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

BJP Announces Candidates for Thiruvananthapuram Local Elections Amidst Ally Discord

Thiruvananthapuram, November 9, 2025 – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its first list of candidates for the upcoming local body elections in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The announcement, made by BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday, includes prominent figures like former Director General of Police (DGP) R. Sreelekha and athlete Padmini Thomas.

The list features a mix of seasoned politicians, including several re-contesting councillors who are changing wards due to seat reservations, alongside fresh faces and recent defectors from the Congress party. High-profile candidates include V.V. Rajesh, M.R. Gopan, P. Ashokkumar, Ashanath G.S., Karamana Ajith, V.G. Girikumar, Papanamcode Saji and Simi Jyothish. K. Maheswaran Nair and Thampanoor Satheesh who had shifted from the Congress in recent years have also been accommodated in the initial list.

However, the candidate selection has triggered immediate discontent from the BJP’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally, the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS). The BDJS district leadership has voiced its frustration, vowing to contest the elections independently after failing to secure the 11 seats it demanded. The dispute is centered around wards like Edavacode, Ulloor, and Mannanthala, which were among those requested by the BDJS but included in the BJP’s announced list.

Mr. Chandrasekhar emphasized the BJP’s commitment to transforming Thiruvananthapuram into ‘Vikasita Ananthapuri’ (Developed Ananthapuri), touting the party’s 35 councillors’ efforts in exposing alleged corruption within the Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration over the past five years.

While the BJP significantly increased its presence in the Corporation in previous elections, its tally remained stagnant in 2020, even as the LDF gained ground. The party has also faced setbacks in recent by-elections and is grappling with internal conflict following allegations surrounding the death of a party councillor.

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