Congress suspends Thrissur councillor over remarks against party leadership

Thrissur: Congress councillor Lali James of the Thrissur Corporation has faced action for publicly criticising the party leadership over the selection of the mayoral candidate. Hours after the mayoral election on Friday, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee suspended her from the party based on a report from the District Congress Committee.

After being sidelined in the Thrissur Corporation mayoral election, Lali, a three-time councillor, alleged that the mayoral post was given in exchange for money by the DCC president.

The Mahila Congress leader also accused senior leader KC Venugopal and former mayor Rajan Pallan of plotting against her.

Addressing the media minutes before the mayoral election, Lali James alleged that Dr Niji Justin, who was selected as the UDF mayor of the Thrissur Corporation, went to meet party leaders carrying a box of money. She claimed the party sidelined her because she did not have money and alleged that the deal took place two days before the election.

She also declared that personally, she is not supporting Dr Niji, but decided to back her only as a UDF councillor. 

Lali represents the Laloor division in the corporation.