The suspension was ordered by KPCC president Sunny Joseph based on a report submitted by the District Congress Committee (DCC), party sources said.
Published Dec 27, 2025 | 10:30 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 27, 2025 | 10:30 AM
Congress in Kerala
Synopsis: Lali had levelled serious allegations against the DCC president and senior leaders, including claims of interference by AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, following the party’s decision to field Dr Niji Justin as mayor. Speaking to the media earlier, Lali claimed she was sidelined despite being projected for the post, alleging that she was told she did not have the money sought by the leadership.
Congress on Friday, 26 December night suspended Thrissur Corporation councillor Lali James after she publicly alleged that the party leadership denied her the mayor’s post in exchange for money, triggering a major controversy within the party days after the UDF returned to power in the civic body.
The suspension was ordered by KPCC president Sunny Joseph based on a report submitted by the District Congress Committee (DCC), party sources said.
Lali had levelled serious allegations against the DCC president and senior leaders, including claims of interference by AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, following the party’s decision to field Dr Niji Justin as mayor. Speaking to the media earlier, Lali claimed she was sidelined despite being projected for the post, alleging that she was told she did not have the money sought by the leadership.
She also made unsubstantiated claims of a cash transaction involving Niji Justin and her husband, and said she had been removed at the last minute despite assurances after the election results.
The Congress leadership and Dr Niji Justin strongly rejected the allegations.
Niji said the party would respond politically and legally, adding that she had nothing further to say on Lali’s remarks.
Senior leaders maintained that the allegations were baseless and had tarnished the party’s image.
The controversy comes close on the heels of the UDF wresting control of the Thrissur Corporation from the LDF after a decade.
Dr Niji Justin was elected mayor with UDF securing 35 votes, against the LDF’s 13 and NDA’s eight, with KPCC secretary A Prasad elected deputy mayor.
“I don’t know how I was defeated, I was summoned to the DCC three days ago. The DCC president Joseph Taget said the party needs funds to function. I replied that I don’t have any money and that I have not made money out of public service,” Lali alleged.
She claimed that she was later summoned again at night, where senior leaders including MP T N Prathapan, Vincent and Joseph Taget were present.
“They asked if I could be accommodated for two or three terms, saying one year is enough now and the remaining four years should be given to someone else. That was all I asked for — one year. When that was rejected, I said if Niji is accepted, then give the second phase to Sudhi Babu and exempt me,” she said.
Lali further alleged that financial considerations played a decisive role in the leadership’s choice.
“I don’t have a penny to give. I strongly suspect that the party has chosen someone who is ready to provide funds or other benefits. Outsiders had already said that money was changing hands, and now I also have my doubts,” she said, adding that she had rarely seen Dr Niji Just actively involved in party programmes.
In Kollam, the Congress registered a historic first by capturing the mayoral post.
Senior INTUC leader MK Hafeez was elected mayor with UDF securing 27 votes against the LDF’s 16, while the BJP and SDPI abstained.
The corporation has a fractured mandate — UDF 27, LDF 16, NDA 12 and SDPI one — making the UDF’s victory significant.
MPs NK Premachandran and Kodikunnil Suresh were among senior leaders present at the swearing-in ceremony.
Kochi Corporation saw UDF’s VK Mini Mol elected mayor with 48 votes in the 76-member council, including support from an independent. LDF candidate Ambika Sudarshan secured 22 votes, while the NDA polled six.
The UDF stitched together a power-sharing arrangement: Mini Mol will serve as mayor for the first two-and-a-half years, followed by Shiny for the remaining term. Deputy mayor posts too will be shared — Deepak Joy during Mini Mol’s term and V.P. Krishnakumar during Shiny’s. The decision came after prolonged deliberations within the party, sidelining even last-minute front-runner Deepthi Mary Varghese.
The Congress-led UDF completed its sweep in Kannur, with Adv. P. Indira elected mayor after securing 36 votes in the 56-member corporation.
Indira, elected from the Payyambalam division, defeated CPI(M)’s V.K. Prakashini and BJP’s Archana Vandichal.
The UDF will share the mayoral term with the Muslim League for two-and-a-half years each, with K.P. Tahir of the League set to become deputy mayor.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
