Thiruvananthapuram, April 3 (IANS) A controversy has erupted after R. Sreelekha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Vattiyoorkavu, made sharp remarks on Friday on women’s safety in Kerala, directly targeting the state government.

Speaking at a “Brunch with Sreelekha” event in Sasthamangalam, she alleged that the Kerala government has “turned a blind eye” even to issues like “love jihad”, and claimed that this has resulted in a lack of safety for women in the state.

Drawing from personal experience, Sreelekha said that even she, despite being a senior police officer, had faced distressing situations but received no support.

She also alleged that even the Kerala Director General of Police Ravada A. Chandrasekhar did not back her, claiming that such support depends on “political approval”.

Citing a recent incident involving the wife of a Kerala Minister, Sreelekha questioned the state government’s response, alleging that despite direct complaints to the police grievance cell, no effective action was taken.

“This is the situation in Kerala,” the BJP leader said, in a scathing attack.

Sreelekha’s remarks have drawn attention not just for their political sharpness but also due to her own high profile background.

She is the first woman IPS officer from the state to rise to the rank of Director General of Police, a milestone that continues to define her public persona, even though she did not handle the law and order portfolio.

Her political entry came as a surprise when she joined the BJP Kerala unit last year.

Within months, Sreelekha was fielded as a Councillor candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from an upcountry ward, where she secured a victory.

Though initially projected as a potential Mayor if the BJP secured control, she was sidelined at the last moment.

Her candidature in the Vattiyoorkavu Assembly constituency marks another strategic move by the BJP.

The BJP has previously finished second in the Assembly constituency in two of the last three Assembly elections, and with the party now in power in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, it is positioning Sreelekha as a potential “dark horse” in the contest.

As the poll campaign gathers momentum, Sreelekha’s remarks have added a new edge to an already heated electoral battle.

–IANS

sg/khz