Kerala Election: Aritha Babu, Congress' Youngest Candidate In The State, Has Big Visions

Aritha Babu was out campaigning for the upcoming Kerala assembly elections when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited her home in Kayamkulam on Tuesday. The Indian National Congress (INC) leader reportedly took a detour to visit. But she had to wait until the 26-year-old election candidate, the party's youngest in the state this year, returned. And when she did, Gandhi drew her close and gushed about the relentless work she was putting in.

"I am so proud of Aritha and you should be also feeling proud of your daughter as has been facing many struggles in her life," Gandhi was quoted saying to locals standing nearby. Earlier the same day, Gandhi and Aritha had campaigned together for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which is up against the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in poll-bound Kerala.

Out of all candidates on Congress' assembly candidate list, Aritha Babu stood out, for all the big visions she harbours for her Alappuzha district at a young age. It is reported the 26-year-old, who will engage in political battle for the Kayamkulam constituency seat with sitting MLA Prathiba Hari of CPI-M, was handpicked by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

"Women power will transform Kerala & India," Congress stated sharing pictures of Aritha, describing her as "down-to-earth & dynamic."

Looking At Youth Leader Aritha Babu And Her Political Career

Currently a Masters student, Aritha Babu has gained status as a youth leader who has carved a place for herself in the local politics of Kerala in the duration of a political career that is also considerably young. Her entry into politics reportedly began during her student years as a prominent member of Congress' Kerala Students Union and various positions in the Kerala Youth Congress.

At only 21 years of age, Aritha was elected into the Alappuzha district panchayat from Congress five years ago, as per a

26-yr-old Aritha Babu, who hails from a farming family, is youngest Congress candidate in Kerala. She's contesting from Kayamkulam

She says, "At 21, Congress elected me in district Panchayat&now I'm an assembly candidate. It's 100% that I'll be winning as this is my constituency pic.twitter.com/oIqJ7C0WbM

26-yr-old Aritha Babu, who hails from a farming family, is youngest Congress candidate in Kerala. She's contesting from Kayamkulam

She says, "At 21, Congress elected me in district Panchayat&now I'm an assembly candidate. It's 100% that I'll be winning as this is my constituency pic.twitter.com/oIqJ7C0WbM

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

For the background she has in humanitarian and social work, Aritha has been able to make an impact in her district. Describing her as a 'model' candidate, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Mullappally Ramachandran singled her out while announcing the election candidacy list and said, "She hails from a marginalised community. She sells the milk from her cow every day to make a living and support her family. She spends the rest of her time towards various social and political works."

Aritha Babu is a vocal advocate of social issues and action on social media. Recently, she slammed former MP Joice George for the "anti-feminine statement" he made about Rahul Gandhi. George, at a rally earlier this week, had called Gandhi an "unmarried troublemaker," asking college girls to "stay away" from him.

Demanding action against George, Aritha wrote on Facebook, "Joyce George has not only insulted Rahul Gandhi, but also all the women... Legal action should be taken against him... Requesting the government from the side of girls."

Full coverage on Kerala election 2021 here.

Image Credit: Aritha Babu, Facebook