The nomination of MS Rajendran to the mayor’s post, reserved for women this time, was an alarming choice by the CPI(M) last week.
At the age of 21, most of us have semester exams and results and college placements to worry about, Arya Rajendran from Kerala a college student and a member of Communist Party of India-Marxist, is all set to establish history in Indian politics and administrative system by serving as India’s youngest mayor. She had gained the victory from the Mudavanmughal ward.
Who is Rajendran?
Rajendran is a second-year BSc Mathematics student of the all-women All Saints College in Thiruvananthapuram. She completed her early education at Carmel Girls’ Higher Secondary School. She has begun her political journey as a child activist when she was in class five. MS Rajendran is the State President of Balasangham. She has the designation of state office bearer of SFI, the student wing of CPM. Even though she was not authorized to vote in the last regional elections, but she still was actively campaigning for the party candidate. That experience and exposure helped her this time as well. She has been actively involved with the party during the election campaigns in the past. She is now the State President for Balasangham.
Her father K Rajendran is an electrician by profession. Her mother Sreelatha is also a LIC agent. Rajendran has always been a sharp CPM worker straight from her childhood. Rajendran’s family has reportedly been a rock-solid support for her career in politics. They never discouraged her from participating in politics and neither in her extensive travel across Kerala. Her parents are branch committee members of CPI(M). And they firmly believe in what the party stands for. The young lady was also seen attributing Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and state Health Minister KK Shailaja for motivating her in her political journey. He also took her inspiration from veteran poet Sugathakumari and Malayalam writer K R Meera. She is also a loyal fan of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in politics and superstar Mohanlal in cinema.
Her historical winning
Rajendran won from Mudavanmugal ward in the city, winning against her nearest Congress rival by a margin of 549 votes. One CPM member’s vote was invalid In the mayoral election. Rajendran is believed to have earned 50 votes of the LDF and the assistance of four Independents. Dawn of her luck also came with the defeat of two of the women candidates of the CPI(M).she was supervised the oath of office by collector Navjot Khosa at the council hall of the corporation. It was tightly-packed as history was being made.
Her thoughts and opinions
While an encounter with a news channel she stated her opinions. she stated that Democracy is not about one person directing alone, it’s about deciding altogether and getting decisions executed. The party has entered a new era with this verdict and by fielding so many young candidates, including young women candidates. Growing with the party, she has been repeatedly exposed to challenges and crisis management. She has faced the election with confidence and courage and she is ready to shoulder any responsibility entrusted with her by the party. Her dream is to take forward politics and her studies together. As a Mayor, her primary priority would be the management of waste in the capital city. As a councilor, she wished for a family health center in her ward and to execute programs to diminish stress among children. she said that her beautiful city should be free of waste. Besides a scientific waste management system, a detailed awareness is required among the population.
Conclusion
Be it the literacy rate or by delivering equal chances for women, The state of Kerala has always been way ahead of the rest of the states and shown the way forward. Fifty percent of seats are reserved for women in regional bodies. As per the rules, women head civic bodies alternatively, In Kerala. It is presumed that the party went with the youngest candidate to send out a powerful message and an instance to look forward to…
