Thrissur: The Congress has selected Dr Niji Justin as the Mayor of the Thrissur Corporation. Although there had been intense lobbying earlier for the Mayor post, the Thrissur DCC ultimately announced Dr Niji Justin's name without any major dispute.
A Prasad has been chosen as the Deputy Mayor. The decision was taken in line with the state leadership's directive and after considering the opinion of the councillors.
Though this is her first foray into electoral politics, Dr Niji Justin has been active in organisational work and in her professional capacity as a gynaecologist. She won from the Kizhakkumpattukara division with a majority of 614 votes. She is currently DCC vice-president and has earlier served as Youth Congress state vice-president and Mahila Congress state secretary.
A Prasad, who is also KPCC secretary, had long been a frontrunner for the Deputy Mayor's post. He won from the Civil Station division with a majority of 413 votes and has prior experience as a councillor.
After a gap of a decade, the Thrissur Corporation has returned to Congress rule. Out of the total 56 divisions, the party secured 33 to come to power. Besides Dr Niji Justin, the Congress had also considered Lali James and Subi Babu for the Mayor post.