Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader and former Minister V. Sivankutty on Sunday (July 5, 2026) urged the State government to intervene urgently in the functioning of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The civic body, he alleged, has been pushed into a state of administrative paralysis, which has severely affected governance in the State capital.
Mr. Sivankutty alleged that attempts by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-led Corporation’s leadership to protect Vazhottukonam ward councillor R. Sugathan, who is under judicial remand after being arrested under provisions of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA), has disrupted the day-to-day functioning of the local body.
According to him, essential civic services have been adversely affected, with sanitation work coming to a standstill, thereby leaving garbage piling up across the city. He also alleged that pre-monsoon cleaning activities are virtually absent and that many street lights remain non-functional.
Official records
He also expressed concern over purported attempts to remove valuable official records, including the attendance register of councillors, from the Corporation office. He demanded that the State government appoint an independent agency to investigate the matter.
Mr. Sivankutty also alleged that the Corporation’s steering committee has not been meeting and that even council meetings have become difficult to convene due to the prevailing situation. He went on to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillors of creating unrest inside the council and also physically attacking the Left Democratic Front and United Democratic Front councillors.
Referring to the Vazhottukonam ward, Mr. Sivankutty alleged that no development or sanitation activities have taken place in the region for the last five months and the scenario has been causing hardship to local people.
Published – July 05, 2026 04:21 pm IST
