Arya Rajendran, a 21-year-old, was sworn in as the mayor of Thiruvananthapuram civic body on Monday. She is the youngest mayor in India. Arya is currently pursuing her graduation from All Saints College in Thiruvanthapuram.
Arya’s seat for the mayor post was sure as the CPM-led LDF had 51 members in the council. The total number of the council is 100. Of 100, Arya got 54, BJP’s Simi Jyothish got 35 and UDF Mary Pushpam got 9 votes. It is learnt that Arya got 50 votes of LDF and 4 votes of independent members. One vote of CPM declared invalid.
Arya has been a member of CPI(M) since class 5. She was a member of Balasangam, a children’s organization affiliated to the CPI(M). Her parents have been a member of the party.
Arya later became the state president of the Balasangam. She became a member of the Students Federation of India (SFI)– the students’ wing of the CPI(M)–during her college.