As soon as news of Arya Rajendran becoming the youngest mayor in India hit the streets, she has been receiving support from across the state, cutting across all walks of life. The latest in line to congratulate her is actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan. He took to Twitter to say, “Heartfelt congratulations to comrade Arya Rajendran who took over as the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram at a very young age. In Tamil Nadu too, the ‘Mother Force’ is preparing for change (translated).” Kamal had launched a party — Makkal Nidhi Maiam in 2018 and had stood for the Lok Sabha polls in 2019.
Closer to home, on Saturday, Mollywood actor Mohanlal wished the young mayor-elect over the phone. The Drishyam-actor, who is a voter from the Mudavanmukal ward— from where Arya was elected to the corporation council — wished her luck in her new endeavour and promised to drop by her house the next time he was in town.
Though she is an LDF candidate, she has received support from across the political lines. Thiruvananthapuram MP and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor took to Twitter on Sunday to wish Arya, “Warmest congratulations to the 21-year-old student and the newly-elected Councillor, Arya Rajendran, upon becoming India’s youngest Mayor by leading the city corporation of Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram. Time for a representative of the 51% of India’s population that’s under25 to lead! (sic).”
Apart from political support, she has also received support from industrialists. A big fish whose name had been prominent in the city thanks to the International Airport and the Harbour project, has also congratulated her. Gautam Adani — Chairman and Founder of the Adani group — also took to social media to wish Arya. “Congratulations to Thiruvananthapuram’s and India’s youngest mayor, Arya Rajendran. Absolutely stunning and India’s demographic dividend at its best. This is how young political leaders shape paths and inspire others to follow. This is Incredible India!” Adani tweeted.
He is currently developing India’s first transhipment port — the Vizhinjam International port — in the Thiruvananthapuram coast and has also won the tender for the development of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
A second-year BSc Mathematics student at All Saints College in Thiruvananthapuram, Arya won from the Mudavanmukal ward by defeating her nearest Congress rival by a margin of 549 votes. A state committee member of the Students Federation of India, she is also the state president of Balasangham, the children’s wing of the Left party.
She is the daughter of CPI (M) activist K Rajendran, an electrician and Sreelatha, a LIC agent. According to the CPI (M) in a tweet, Arya is the youngest mayor of a major city in the world.
