You might be confused after reading the name of a BJP candidate who has been fielded by the saffron party in Kerala’s panchayat poll. Her name is Sonia Gandhi.
Yes, she is a namesake of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, but a candidate of the BJP from Munnar. Interestingly, she had a connection with Congress too in the past.
As per India Today, which cited a report of Kottayam-based Manorama, the BJP has fielded Sonia Gandhi for the Nallathanni ward (Ward 16) of the local panchayat. The 34-year-old candidate has been fielded from Nallathanni Kallar.
The BJP’s Sonia Gandhi was born to Dure Raj, a labourer and Congress leader. Dure Raj named her after the then Congress President due to his admiration for the leader.
Sonia got married to BJP’s general secretary, Subhash. Sonia’s husband had earlier contested a bypoll from Old Munnar, Mulakkad. Later, Sonia also joined the BJP and is now trying her fate in the panchayat poll with a name that has a legacy of over two decades in Indian politics.
She is contesting against Congress candidate Manjula Ramesh and CPI (M) candidate Valarmati.
The Kerala panchayat polls are being held in two phases on December 9 and December 11 in 941 gram panchayats, 152 block panchayats, 14 district panchayats, 87 municipalities, and six corporations of the state.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi is the current MP from Wayanad, which was earlier represented by Rahul Gandhi in the 17th Lok Sabha.
