Thrissur mayor controversy: Satheesan defends KPCC procedure, dismisses Lali James’ allegation

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Opposition Leader VD Satheesan on Friday said the serious allegation levelled against him was that he had not intervened in the selection of mayoral candidates following UDF’s resounding victory in the local body elections.

“I was present till the elections were won. After that, I should not intervene. No senior leader should. There is a proper procedure for this,” Satheesan said.

He pointed out that mayoral candidates were announced in advance only in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. For other local bodies where names were not pre-declared, the KPCC follows a standard procedure to identify chairpersons, which applies uniformly across the state.

Satheesan said he was assigned charge of North Paravur and that wherever more than one candidate emerged, chairpersons were selected strictly through the prescribed process.

“No one has instructed us on who should be fielded (the candidate). If there are complaints regarding the normal procedure, the KPCC will examine them,” he added.

Responding to allegations by Lali James over the Thrissur mayoral post, Satheesan said disgruntled individuals would say many things.

“Niji Justin has been active in the party since the time I entered politics. No one has been imposed from above,” he said.

Lali James’ allegations rock Congress in Thrissur

Thrissur: Congress councillor Lali James has levelled serious allegations that the mayoral post in the Thrissur Corporation was “sold for money,” accusing the district party leadership of engaging in financial dealings in the selection process.

Speaking to the reporters, Lali claimed that she was sidelined because she did not have the money demanded by party leaders. She alleged that leaders were approached with “bags of cash” and that financial considerations determined the choice of the mayoral candidate.

She also raised allegations against UDF mayoral candidate Dr Niji Justin, reiterating that monetary transactions played a decisive role in the decision. According to Lali, the alleged deals took place two days ago.