BJP councillor Simi Jyothis of the Ambalathara Division (ward) in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation was attacked and assaulted at her residence on March 13. The assailant has been identified as Satheesan, the husband of a waste collector.
Following the attack, Simi Jyothis sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at the General Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. According to local reports, the assault occurred after the councillor intervened to stop the illegal collection of food waste in the area.
The incident is linked to an earlier dispute that took place around one-and-a-half months ago. A waste collector named Santhini had allegedly been prevented from collecting food waste after she was found dumping waste along the roadside. Satheesan, who attacked the councillor, is Santhini’s husband.
What BJP Said
Reacting to the incident, BJP district president and former councillor Karamana Jayan alleged that the attack was not an isolated act but part of a planned move. He claimed the assault was carried out out of anger and revenge after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) lost the ward to the BJP.
In the municipal elections held in December, Simi Jyothis contested from the Ambalathara ward instead of her usual ward and secured victory. According to Jayan, the attack was intended to physically and mentally intimidate her following that win. He further alleged that the conspiracy behind the assault was hatched by former LDF councillor Sulochana.
Nemom ‘Targeted’
Jayan also said that the Ambalathara division falls within the Nemom Assembly constituency, where BJP leader and state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is widely expected to contest in the upcoming Assembly elections. He alleged that the CPM and the LDF were attempting to create tension in the area due to political concerns over the constituency.
According to Jayan, after attacking Simi Jyothis, Satheesan was seen visiting former councillor Sulochana, a CPI leader. CCTV footage reportedly captured their conversation, which BJP leaders claim supports their allegation of a conspiracy.
The BJP has said it will pursue strong legal action over the attack on the councillor. Party leaders have also accused the CPM of resorting to violence ahead of elections when faced with the possibility of electoral setbacks.
