Third-time councillor Saiji Jolly to be Aluva municipal chairperson

Third-time councillor Saiji Jolly is set to be the chairperson of Aluva municipality, where the Congress has won a clear majority of 16 out of 26 seats in the local body election. Ms. Jolly was selected unanimously by the Congress Parliamentary Party as its nominee for the top post on Tuesday (December 23, 2025).

Ms. Jolly was deputy chairperson in the previous council, headed by M.O. John, a Congress veteran. This time, she won from the Nazreth ward, defeating the BJP’s Sivapriya G. Kammath.

Born and brought up in Delhi, Ms. Jolly moved to Aluva after her marriage with footballer-turned actor Jolly Moothedan in 1998. A postgraduate in fashion technology, she has worked as a fashion coordinator before entering politics.

Ms. Jolly debuted into electoral politics in 2010 winning from the Market ward. Though she contested the election in 2015 from the General Hospital ward, she could not repeat the win. She fought again from the Market ward in 2020 and won.

Ms. Jolly said her priority would be to ensure the development of Aluva in tune with the vision of her party leadership.

The Congress has also nominated Fassil Hussain, another third-time councillor, for the post of deputy chairperson. He was the chairperson of education, arts and sports standing committee in the previous council.

The Left Democratic Front has six councillors, including four Independents backed by the front, while the National Democratic Alliance has four in the municipality.