Gomathi Augustine, the Pembalai Orumai leader who won from the Devikulam ward in Munnar in the Kerala civic polls attempted suicide on Friday.

Initial reports suggest that Gomathi had swallowed pills at her residence in Munnar and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in the city.

Dissent within the group had recently surfaced when other leaders of the group alleged that Gomathi had taken money from the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) party which had won a few seats in Munnar.

Gomathi had denied all allegations against her despite some leaders planning to dismiss her from the group.

She had also told the media that Pembalai Orumai's decision to ally with the UDF in Munnar was not discussed with her.

The Pembalai Orumai – women’s unity – as they are called, ruffled many feathers by rejecting trade unions and refusing to let them take any credit for their historic strike in September for better wages.

The group went one step ahead and contested the recent local body polls and registered victories there too. 

Gomathi’s husband reportedly told police that she tried to commit suicide because she was depressed after the allegations leveled against her.

Gomathi, one of the 39 candidates fielded by Orumai in Idukki district, had won from the Devikulam ward in Devikulam block panchayat.

It was in September that 4,000 women workers of the Kannan-Devan Hills Plantations struck work to demand better wages and working conditions, and later formed the group Pembalai Orumai.