A young Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Kerala, juggling multiple jobs to support herself while contesting the upcoming local body elections, has become a focal point for senior party leaders, showcasing what they term as the party's commitment to grassroots leadership.
Who Is M Shruti?
M Shruti, a 24-year-old candidate, is contesting from the South Bazaar seat (Division 47) for the Kannur Corporation in the Kerala local body elections. Her story has been widely shared on social media by prominent BJP figures, including former Union Minister and BJP's Kerala president, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and former Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Shruti's background is one of modest means. After completing an Ayurveda course, she worked as a temporary employee at the Kannur District Hospital. A year ago, she took on a home-delivery job. In the evenings, she assists her parents, Sajendran and Shanthi, at their 'thattukada' or street-food stall located at Payyambalam Beach. Notably, she has continued all her work commitments even after being named a BJP candidate.
A Symbol of Grassroots Aspiration
In a post on X on December 1, Rajeev Chandrasekhar highlighted Shruti's dedication. He stated that a single picture of her "tells a million stories of Malayalee youth," praising her for working during the day and campaigning in the evenings with "sincerity, hard work, and zero entitlement."
The BJP's official social media handle also celebrated her candidature, emphasizing a narrative of merit over dynasty. "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," the post read, accompanied by a picture of Shruti on a two-wheeler with her election poster.
Chandrasekhar further contextualized her fight, pointing to the political landscape of Kannur. "And remember she is contesting in Kannur, where Pinarayi Vijayan’s CPM won 14 wards unopposed through fear and intimidation. Those days are over," he claimed, positioning the BJP as empowering youth and women against the "corrupt politics" of the INDI alliance.
The Electoral Battle Ahead
The Kerala local body elections 2025 are scheduled to be held in two phases on December 9 and 11. The counting of votes will take place on December 13. Elections are to be conducted in 1199 out of the total 1200 local bodies in the state.
Shruti is part of a high-stakes triangular contest in the South Bazaar division. Local media reports suggest her relatable daily hustle, balancing work and campaigning, may resonate with voters who see her as one of their own. She is among the youngest candidates in the fray for the Kannur Corporation elections, representing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar echoed the sentiment in a post on December 2, 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."
The party's focused promotion of Shruti's candidature underscores its strategy to project itself as a platform for ordinary, hardworking individuals, directly contrasting with its political rivals in a key electoral battleground like Kerala.
