Thiruvananthapuram: BJP leader VV Rajesh is likely to be named the mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. According to reports, the party’s State committee has favoured his candidature for the post. Former IPS officer R Sreelekha, who won from the Sasthamangalam ward, is expected to be named deputy mayor.

A day after winning the elections, Sreelekha said she would abide by the party leadership’s decision and expressed happiness over the people’s mandate.

“Victory in the election is a milestone in my life. I would love to serve the people as a councillor. The decision on the mayor will be taken by the party leadership,” she told the media.

VV Rajesh, a former BJP district president, won the election from the Kodunganoor ward. He also said that the BJP State leadership would officially announce the name of the mayor for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. However, he declined to comment on his candidacy for the mayor post.

Sources close to the BJP leadership indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit Thiruvananthapuram to celebrate the party’s victory in the local body elections.

With the BJP-led NDA storming to power by winning 50 seats in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the CPM has lost its long-held stronghold in the State capital. While the UDF had hoped to wrest control of the corporation, it slipped to third position. Hence, LDF, which won 29 seats, will emerge as the opposition.