Congress returns to power in Thrissur Corporation as Niji Justin elected Mayor amid internal turmoil

Niji Justin was elected as the Mayor of the Thrissur Corporation on Friday, securing a comfortable victory in the mayoral election. She polled 35 votes, defeating Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate M. L. Rosy, who received 13 votes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate garnered eight votes.

A. Prasad has been elected as the deputy mayor.

Niji Justin, the newly elected Thrissur Corporation Mayor, congratulating deputy mayor A. Prasad.
| Photo Credit:
K.K. NAJEEB

In the 56-member council, the Congress holds 33 seats. Dr. Justin’s tally was further strengthened by the support of two Independent councillors, including a Congress rebel, who voted in her favour. With this win, the Congress has returned to power in the Corporation after a gap of ten years.

The party had narrowly missed power in 2020, when both the LDF and the United Democratic Front (UDF) won 24 seats each. The deadlock then paved the way for Independent councillor M. K. Varghese to emerge as the Mayor, supporting the LDF.

Key positions

Dr. Justin, elected from the Kizhakkumpattukara division, is a Thrissur-based gynaecologist. Dr. Justin, who currently serves as vice-president of the District Congress Committee, has held several key organisational roles in the party. She is a former State general secretary of the Youth Congress and has also served as the State secretary of the Mahila Congress. Beyond her political career, Dr. Justin has been actively involved in initiatives focussed on women’s health, earning recognition for her work in community outreach and awareness programmes.

The election, however, unfolded amid sharp internal turbulence within the party in the district. Hours before the mayoral polls, open dissent erupted when Congress councillor Laly James publicly expressed her dissatisfaction and levelled serious allegations against the party leadership. Elected from the Lalur division, Ms. James alleged that the mayoral post in the Corporation was “sold” for money and claimed that she was side-lined because she lacked the financial backing required.

Despite the public disagreement, Ms. James ultimately voted in favour of Dr. Justin. Rejecting the allegations, the Congress leadership has since sought an explanation from Ms. James, even as the party celebrates its long-awaited return to power in the civic body.

Mr. Prasad, who is also KPCC secretary, has long been the front runner for the deputy mayor post. He was elected from the Civil Station division of the Corporation.