A political controversy over office space in a Thiruvananthapuram corporation building intensified on Monday, with Congress councillor and former MLA K S Sabarinadhan aligning with BJP councillor R Sreelekha's demand for Vattiyoorkavu MLA V K Prasanth to vacate the premises.
Roots of the Conflict: A Space Crunch and a Legal Lease
The dispute first erupted over the weekend when Sasthamangalam ward councillor R Sreelekha of the BJP approached MLA V K Prasanth. She requested him to relinquish his office in the corporation-owned building, citing severe space constraints in her own allocated councillor area. She framed it as a "humble request" necessary to serve her constituents effectively.
However, Prasanth, an MLA from the CPI(M), firmly rejected the demand. He clarified that his lease for the office is legally valid until March 31, 2026. He emphasized that only the corporation secretary holds the authority to issue an eviction notice, not a fellow elected representative. Prasanth stated his office has been functioning from that location for over seven years, following due procedure.
Political Alliances Fuel the Fire
The situation took a sharper political turn on Monday when Congress's K S Sabarinadhan entered the fray, supporting the BJP councillor's stance. In a social media post, Sabarinadhan pointed out that Prasanth already has access to two full-fledged office rooms at the MLA Hostel in Palayam, complete with parking facilities. He questioned the necessity of the MLA occupying additional space in the corporation building and urged the civic body to examine the rental agreement.
Prasanth responded by questioning the unexpected political alignment, asking why the Congress was supporting a BJP position. He suggested this indicated a political motive rather than a genuine administrative concern. The MLA also defended his location choice, stating that having an office in Sasthamangalam makes it more accessible for residents from 26 wards within his Vattiyoorkavu assembly constituency.
Administrative Review and Allegations of Irregularity
Amid the crossfire, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V V Rajesh intervened, stating that the corporation would conduct a thorough review of the rental agreement and contract. He signaled that the matter would be resolved through official administrative channels, not public sparring.
Adding another layer to the controversy, lawyer and social activist Kulathoor Jaisingh filed a complaint with the state chief secretary. He alleged that the MLA and councillor offices in Sasthamangalam were allotted through secret rental agreements that violate norms. Sources indicated that Prasanth pays a monthly rent of only Rs 872 for the space, while the market rate for the location is reportedly over Rs 20,000. Jaisingh has called for a government-level inquiry into the matter.
The office space row, therefore, has evolved from a local administrative issue into a multi-party political confrontation, with underlying allegations of procedural irregularities, setting the stage for a formal corporation review.
