BJP councillor retakes oath inside Kerala jail

In an unprecedented event in Kerala, R Sugathan, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councilor representing the Vazhottukonam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, retook his oath of office within the confines of Viyyur Central Jail. This unusual ceremony occurred on Tuesday, following a directive from the Kerala high court.

The oath was administered by Mayor VV Rajesh in the prison's library hall. Sugathan took the constitutional oath in the name of God, in the presence of corporation and prison officials, as well as members of the media. This marks the first instance of a municipal councilor taking their oath inside a prison in the state.

Sugathan, along with 19 other councilors, was instructed by the high court to retake their oaths after the initial ones taken in December were found to deviate from the prescribed format. These councilors had sworn in the names of various local Hindu deities and social reformers, rather than the mandated oath in the name of God. While the other 19 councilors complied last month, Sugathan's delay was due to his arrest and detention under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) in connection with an attempt-to-murder case.

The situation poses a potential challenge for the BJP, which recently gained power in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Under the Kerala Municipality Act, a councilor absent for three consecutive meetings risks losing their membership. If Sugathan is disqualified, the BJP's strength in the 100-member body would decrease from 51, potentially costing them their simple majority. Mayor VV Rajesh, however, expressed confidence that the BJP would complete its term.