BJP Candidate Named Sonia Gandhi Shakes Up Kerala Local Body Elections

KOCHI: BJP has nominated a woman named Sonia Gandhi as its candidate in Kerala's Munnar local body polls, leaving the UDF in a uniquely awkward position. The candidate, Sonia Gandhi from ward 16 of Munnar gram panchayat, was named after the Congress leader by her father, late Durai Raj — a plantation worker, devoted Congressman and local office-bearer from Kallar. Ironically, decades later, the namesake of the Congress matriarch is contesting on a BJP ticket. Sonia, who married Subhash — the BJP panchayat general secretary — has long been known locally as “Durai Raj’s daughter,” a factor now causing ripples among Congress campaigners. The official Congress nominee, Manjula Ramesh, is contesting against her, sparking animated discussions both offline and online. For Congress wo