BJP chooses 'Sonia Gandhi' for local elections in Munnar, Kerala, giving headache to Congress

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BJP candidate from Munnar Panchayat, Sonia Gandhi has become the center of local interest. Although she bears the name of the former Congress president, her political journey has taken a completely different direction.

His father, late Dure Raj, was an activist from Nallathanni Kallar and a senior Congress leader. Due to his admiration for Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and affection for his newborn daughter, he decided to name her after the former party chief.

However, Sonia’s political stance changed after marriage. Her husband, Subhash, is an active BJP worker and currently serves as the Panchayat General Secretary.

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A year and a half ago, he had contested the by-election in the old Munnar Moolakkada ward as a BJP candidate. Following her husband’s political path, Sonia Gandhi is now contesting as a BJP-backed candidate, making her a subject of curiosity and discussion in the local elections.

Congress candidate Manjula Ramesh now faces an unusual challenge, her main rival is a BJP candidate named Sonia Gandhi, whose name instantly catches people’s attention.

Needless to say, Congress candidates may not be happy, as nominees historically cause division in votes due to confusion among voters, something that could impact the closely contested Panchayat race.

Kerala local body elections for 2025 will be held in two phases on 9 and 11 December, with counting on 13 December. The first phase of voting will be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts.

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The second phase on December 11 will cover Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. Voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm, and the results will be published in real time through the State Election Commission’s “Trend 2025” portal.

Elections will be held in a total of 1,199 local bodies including Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat, District Panchayat, Municipality and Corporations.