A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor, detained under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), took oath inside the Veyyur Central Jail on Tuesday following directions from the Kerala High Court.
This was the first time that a municipal council member took the constitutional oath inside a state prison.
R Sugathan, councilor representing Vasutukonam ward in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, was administered oath by mayor VV Rajesh in the jail library hall at 11 am. He took the oath to God in the presence of institution and prison officials and media figures.
The Supreme Court had ordered Sugathan and 19 other council members to retake their oath after it was found that the oath they had taken in December last year was against the prescribed format. The council members took oaths in the names of several local Hindu deities and social reformers instead of taking the prescribed oath in the name of God.
While the remaining 19 councilors took back the oath last month after the Supreme Court ruling, Sugathan could not do so because he was arrested and detained under the KAAPA Act in connection with an attempt to murder case.
The BJP, which came to power in Thiruvananthapuram corporation for the first time last year, is in danger of losing its simple majority in the 100-member civic body.
Under the Kerala Municipality Act, a councilor who remains absent for three consecutive council meetings is liable to lose membership. If Sugathan is disqualified, the BJP’s strength will decline from 51 members, which will cost it its simple majority.
Mayor VV Rajesh expressed confidence that the BJP will complete its five-year term in the corporation.
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