India, Dec. 27 -- BJP leader VV Rajesh was elected mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Friday after the saffron party won 50 of the 101 wards, marking its first-ever victory in a municipal corporation in Kerala. In the mayoral election on Friday, Rajesh secured 51 votes, including the support of an independent councillor. Earlier, it was expected that the BJP would field former DGP R Sreelkha as the mayor candidate.

RP Sivaji of the LDF received 29 votes, while UDF candidate KS Sabarinathan secured 19 votes, of which two were later declared invalid.

Senior BJP leaders, including State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, were present at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation office to witness Rajesh being elected mayor of the State Capita...