Thiruvananthapuram: Former DGP and Sasthamangalam councillor R Sreelekha on Sunday said she had contested the local body elections based on an assurance that she would be considered for the mayor’s post, but added that she accepted the party leadership’s decision to appoint a more experienced leader.

Sreelekha said the BJP leadership had projected her as the face of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation election before the public and the media. “As BJP state vice president, I was initially given the responsibility of ensuring the victory of ten candidates. When the party first asked me to contest the local body elections, I was reluctant. But I agreed after being told that I would be considered for the mayor’s post and that I would be the face of the corporation election. There is nothing new or surprising about this,” she said. She added that she took pride in the party’s significant electoral achievement.

Sreelekha said she believed the central and state leadership may have felt that V V Rajesh was better suited to function as mayor due to his experience, with Ashanath being chosen as deputy mayor. “I have no dispute with the leadership’s decision and I accept it. I was not part of the discussions to decide the mayor. Councillors were asked for their views only at the end. It was communicated that V V Rajesh would be mayor because of his seniority in the party and long experience in the corporation. I accepted this decision,” she said. The former police official added that there was no reason to engage in a discussion with the party leadership.

Pointing out that she has been with the party for only about one-and-a-half years compared to Rajesh’s three decades, Sreelekha said she understood the rationale behind the decision.

“I cannot oppose the decision and walk away. The people who elected me are here. I have decided to continue as a councillor for five years. I will not be contesting any further elections,” she said.