Several leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala, including former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, have been actively promoting their candidate for the upcoming local body elections. The spotlight is on Shruti M, a 24-year-old woman from a modest background who juggles multiple jobs to support herself while contesting elections. BJP officials describe her candidacy as a representation of grassroots realities in the local-body polls.
Shruti is among the youngest candidates in the race for the Kannur Corporation elections, standing as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the South Bazaar seat in Kerala’s local governance.
Chandrasekhar highlighted her dedication in a post on X, stating, “This single picture tells a million stories of Malayalee youth. Meet M Sruthi, BJP candidate from South Bazar Division 47, Kannur. She works during the day and joins our karyakartas for campaigning in the evening with sincerity, hard work, and zero entitlement.”
The Kerala local body elections for 2025 are scheduled to take place in two phases on December 9 and 11, with results expected to be counted on December 13. The elections will cover 1199 of the 1200 local bodies in the state.
Shruti faces a competitive triangular race in the South Bazaar division, yet she remains committed to her everyday work, resonating with many voters who identify with her struggles, according to a report from Janmabhumi.
She has previously worked as a temporary employee at the Kannur District Hospital after completing her Ayurveda course and took on a home-delivery job a year ago. Additionally, she assists her parents with their street-food stall at Payyambalam Beach.
The BJP emphasized her grassroots journey, stating in a post on X, “No dynasty. No lobbying. No godfathers. Only hard work, grit, and a genuine desire to serve. The BJP is the only party where leaders rise from the grassroots.” Accompanying this statement was a picture of Shruti on a two-wheeler with her election poster in Malayalam.
Despite becoming the BJP candidate for the Corporation elections, Shruti has not reduced her work commitment. After finishing her morning delivery shifts, she ventures out to campaign. According to media sources, the South Bazaar division is witnessing a fierce contest.
Chandrasekhar noted the political dynamics in Kannur, asserting, “And remember she is contesting in Kannur, where Pinarayi Vijayan’s CPM won 14 wards unopposed through fear and intimidation. Those days are over. BJP/NDA is empowering young Malayalees and women to write their own stories and not be controlled by the corrupt politics of the INDI alliance of CPM/Congress.”
BJP leader and former Union Minister Prakash Javadekar echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The BJP nurtures real talent from among the people, by the people, and for the people. This is the strength of true democracy. This is New India’s politics, driven by merit, not inheritance,” in a post shared on December 2.
