When a BJP leader refers to Thiruvanathapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran as a ‘LKG student,’ her response goes viral.
Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran, who made headlines last year after being appointed as one of the state’s youngest leaders, is being praised once more on social media. After a BJP councillor mocked the Mayor for her age, a video of her response went viral on social media. In the post, the councillor referred to her as “an LKG child from AKG Centre.” The AKG Centre serves as the state headquarters of the CPI(M). On June 17 (Thursday), during the Corporation’s council meeting, the 22-year-old Mayor retaliated against BJP councillor Karamana Ajith, who allegedly continued to make similar jibes.
Arya Rajendran was 21 years old when she was elected as the CPI(M) candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation local body elections in November-December 2020. On June 11, the BJP councillor wrote on Facebook, “Things worth lakhs, which are bought with people’s tax money, are not meant to be destroyed by LKG children of AKG centre, sitting and playing in the Mayor’s chair.” Councillor Karamana Ajith, who referred to her as a “mayor child,” went on to say, “I humbly remind that the Corporation is not a children’s park and that it is a place where people’s money should be responsibly managed.”
“Let me tell you something,” Mayor Arya retorted to the councillor. There have been numerous criticisms levelled at you over the last six months. Not only you, but anyone in this council is free to say whatever they want. Many times, all of you have criticised me personally, and otherwise, on my age and maturity,” she said, adding that she has not retaliated against anyone. “However, I am now compelled to tell you this. Some members here made similar remarks today. Let me state unequivocally that if I have become Mayor at this age, I know exactly how to work accordingly, and I can tell you with pride that I grew up in such a system,” said Arya Rajendran at the June 17 council meeting.
Despite the constant heckling, Arya remained firm and continued to make her case.
“If I show you the comments of your followers, including those of the younger generation, the slanderous comments they post on Facebook and WhatsApp, you will remember that this Mayor is also like ‘sisters and mothers at home,” Mayor Arya Rajendran continued. Opposition members can be heard shouting in the video of the incident. She persisted in speaking up, pleading with them to let her finish what she was saying.
She went on to say that whoever makes slanderous remarks about a woman, even if they are from her party, is wrong. “It is wrong to insult a woman. Even if that means referring to them as a LKG child or naming them as was seen here, you must first understand that you will only get back what you give,” the Mayor said, adding that no one should personally insult anyone on the council.
Take a look at what Mayor Arya Rajendran said.
https://twitter.com/thesaudadeguy/status/1405607436581408768?s=20
