Singer Ramya Haridas: The Second Dalit MP From Kerala Vying For Another Term (Photo on X Ramya Haridas 🇮🇳 @RamyaHaridasMP)
Born in 1986, Ramya Haridas, the Congress candidate from the Alathur Lok Sabha constituency was the only female candidate to be elected from Kerala in the 2019 general elections. Using her singing skills to attract voters in her campaigns was a high point in last Lok Sabha elections in Kerala. During the election campaigns, her folk song drew the rural people who welcomed it with cheers and appraisals.
The second woman Dalit MP from Kerala, Ramya grew up with adequate political exposure and social services. Her mother Radha was a known All India Mahila Congress worker, helping her political journey with the grand old party. Her journey started with her first post as the Block Panchayat President for Kunnamangalam in Kozhikode district. It was her performance in the position that led to her nomination in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the Scheduled Caste (SC) Alathur Lok Sabha seat. The constituency has a 23.85 percent Muslims, 12.68 percent SC,12.73 percent Christians and 1.11 percent Scheduled Tribe (ST) population with a total 82.33 percent literacy rate.
The constituency, that has eight assembly segments from across Palakkad and Thrissur, had been a left-dominated seat till 2019, with more than a decade of representation. However, the 38-year-old Ramya Haridas, considered one of the active politicians secured the 2019 general elections with a margin of 1,58,968 votes. It is learnt that her remarkable victory defeating the incumbent CPM’s PK Biju made the party think of her renomination, in addition to her performance as an MP in the parliament.
The Dalit MP being one of the least wealthy politicians reportedly made crowdfunding to fund her election expenses in 2019. Though money constraints could possibly make the MP lag behind others, she was successful in being one among the people, showing commitment and addressing their issues. The MP has 72 per cent attendance in parliament and has participated in 54 debates. The 10th pass Ramya has also raised 321 questions across different sessions in her tenure so far.
In a recent interview with The Hindu, Ramya said that she fulfilled her duty by being an effective interface between the people and the government, adding that the union government has ignored many of her projects for farmers due to political differences. She also said that she wanted Congress at the centre so that she can bring more for the people.
Notably, in 2020, the MP alleged that she was assaulted by a BJP woman MP inside the parliament and lodged a complaint with the Speaker seeking immediate action.
