District Collector Arjun Pandian congratulates the newly elected Mayor of Thrissur Corporataion Niji Justin on Friday. | Photo credit: KK Najeeb
Niji Justin was elected as the Mayor of Thrissur Corporation on Friday, securing a comfortable victory in the mayoral election. She got 35 votes, defeating Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate ML Rosy, who got 13 votes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate got eight votes.
A. Prasad was elected deputy mayor.
Niji Justin, newly elected Mayor of Thrissur Corporation congratulates Deputy Mayor A. Prasad. | Photo credit: KK NAJEEB
In the 56-member council, the Congress has 33 seats. The results of Dr. Justina was further bolstered by the support of two independent council members, including a rebel in Congress who voted in her favor. With this victory, Congress returned to power in the corporation after a decade.
The party narrowly missed out on power in 2020 when both the LDF and the United Democratic Front (UDF) won 24 seats each. The stalemate then paved the way for independent councilor MK Varghese to become mayor and support the LDF.
Key positions
Dr. Justin, elected from Kizhakkumpattukara division, is a gynecologist from Thrissur. Dr. Currently serving as the Vice President of the District Congress Committee, Justin has held several key organizational roles in the party. She is the former State General Secretary of the Youth Congress and has also served as the State Secretary of the Mahila Congress. In addition to his political career, Dr. Justin is actively involved in women’s health initiatives and is recognized for his work in community and outreach programs.
However, the election took place amid sharp internal turbulence within the party in the district. Hours before the mayoral election, open dissent erupted when Congress councilor Laly James publicly expressed her displeasure and leveled serious allegations against the party leadership. Ms James, elected from Lalur division, alleged that the mayor’s post in the corporation was “sold” for money and alleged that she was sidelined as she lacked the required financial background.
Despite public opposition, Mrs. James ultimately voted for Dr. Justin. The Congress leadership denied the allegations and 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 a frontrunner for the Deputy Mayor post. He was elected from the Civil Station division of the company.
Published – 26 Dec 2025 20:42 IST
