Congress’s Vyshna Suresh Secures Victory in Thiruvananthapuram’s Muttada Ward, Dethroning CPM Stronghold
Vyshna Suresh, a 24-year-old from the United Democratic Front (UDF), is currently celebrating her triumphant maiden victory in the local self-government elections. From the outset, Vyshna’s name garnered significant media attention due to her status as the youngest candidate. Her remarkable win in the Muttada ward, a traditional stronghold of the Left, was achieved with a notable majority of 397 votes over her opponent.
Media focus intensified on the Muttada ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation the moment the UDF nominated this energetic young woman as their key contender. A quick review of her social media presence revealed a politically active individual. Despite this being her first electoral contest, Vyshna, a dedicated worker of the Kerala Students Union (KSU), has been pictured alongside prominent political figures, including the late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, Rahul Gandhi, and controversial leader Rahul Mankootathil.
Vyshna, who consistently greeted the media with a bright smile, even faced a critical juncture where her participation in the election seemed jeopardized.
She was compelled to approach the Kerala High Court after receiving a notice from the State Election Commission, which indicated the removal of her name from the voter list. Vyshna discovered this exclusion only after her election campaign had already commenced. It was later revealed that a Communist Party of India (Marxist) branch committee member had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, citing an error in her address and requesting her removal from the electoral roll.
Following her appeal, the High Court directed the Election Commission to re-examine her claim. The Commission subsequently held a hearing and reinstated her name on the voter list. The Congress party strongly alleged an LDF conspiracy behind the attempt to remove Vyshna’s name. Furthermore, claims of intervention by Mayor Arya Rajendran ignited additional controversy.
These pre-election controversies are believed to have significantly boosted Vyshna’s popularity, ultimately paving the way for the Congress flag to fly in what was historically a red fortress. She is also recognized for her community engagement, including distributing refreshments to devotees during the Pongala festival and offering support to senior citizens, all while maintaining a pleasant and approachable public image.
Vyshna secured this significant victory by defeating LDF councilor Amshu Vamadevan, who currently represents the Kesavadasapuram ward. Amshu Vamadevan garnered 1210 votes, while the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate, Ajith Kumar, secured 460 votes.