Sonia Gandhi to Contest Local Elections on BJP Ticket in Munnar

Munnar, Kerala – In a curious turn of political events, a 34-year-old woman named Sonia Gandhi is set to contest the upcoming local body elections in Munnar, Kerala, as a candidate for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), campaigning under the party’s ‘Lotus’ symbol. This unique candidacy, bearing the name of the former All India Congress Committee President, has drawn significant attention in the region.

Sonia Gandhi’s father, the late Dhurairaj, a respected Congress leader and worker from Nallathanni Kallar, bestowed the name upon his daughter out of deep affection and a profound admiration for the veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. The decision reflects a different political era and a family’s strong ties to the grand old party.

However, the political landscape within the family shifted when her husband, Subhash, became an active worker for the BJP. Consequently, Sonia Gandhi also embraced the saffron party’s ideology and became a sympathizer. Subhash currently serves as the General Secretary of the Panchayat. Notably, he himself had previously contested as a BJP candidate in a by-election held in Old Munnar Moolakkada a year and a half ago.

In the impending elections for the Munnar Panchayat, Sonia Gandhi faces formidable opponents: Manjula Ramesh, representing the Congress party, and Valarmati, from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM). The contest is already generating considerable buzz and discussion across Munnar, largely due to the intriguing coincidence of her name and her chosen political affiliation.