T.P. Shaji, vice-chairperson of the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-ruled Pattambi municipality in Palakkad, has returned to the Congress ahead of the local body polls in Kerala.
Mr. Shaji and around 200 members of his outfit ‘We for Pattambi’ were welcomed to the Congrees by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph at the party’s State headquarters, Indira Bhavan, in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday (November 6, 2025).
Mr. Shaji had left the Congress and formed We for Pattambi ahead of the 2020 elections to the local bodies in the State following a dispute over candidature. They had won six seats, and their decision to support the LDF had cost the United Democratic Front (UDF) the Pattambi municipality. The LDF has ruled the municipality during the past five years with the support of We for Pattambi.
On his return to the Congress, Mr. Shaji said no effort will be spared in bringing the Congress back to power in the municipality in the 2025 elections.
As part of his decision, Mr. Shaji has resigned from the post of vice-chairman and councillor in the municipality, the Congress leaders said. He was in discussions with senior leaders of the Congress and UDF partner Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) over the past few days, they said.
Mr. Joseph described Mr. Shaji as a “strong Congress leader” who has “returned home.” He described Mr. Shaji’s earlier issues with the Congress as a tiff.
Entering politics through the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and later the Youth Congress, of which he was a general secretary, Mr. Shaji has earlier served as vice-president of the Pattambi block panchayat.
Mr. Joseph said Mr. Shaji’s return to the Congress fold is only a start and many more workers from different parties will join the Congress in the coming days.
Published – November 06, 2025 04:33 pm IST
