Mananthavady, Kerala — June 14, 2025:
Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi Vadra underscored the vital responsibility that grassroots representatives bear towards the public, stating that elected members of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system are the primary link between the people and the government. “It is the local members whom citizens approach first, and they are the ones who engage with the public directly,” she said during a function in Mananthavady.
Priyanka Gandhi was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for the new building of the Mananthavady Municipality and inaugurating the newly constructed municipal regional office at Payyampally. She praised Kerala’s unique political environment that allows local representatives to work beyond party lines, describing it as a proud achievement that facilitates the swift implementation of developmental initiatives.
“Serving the people is the duty of every elected representative,” she noted, while commending the Mananthavady Municipality for prioritizing public health, drinking water projects, and street lighting. She emphasized that local governance must uphold regional values while pursuing development that truly benefits the community.
The event was presided over by Municipal Chairperson C.K. Rathnavalli, with Vice Chairman Jacob Sebastian delivering the welcome address. The ceremony was also attended by MLA I.C. Balakrishnan, DCC President N.D. Appachan, former Minister P.K. Jayalakshmi, and several municipal councilors and officials including C. Kunhabdulla, Padayan Mohammed, Adv. N.K. Varghese, standing committee chairpersons Lekha Rajeevan, P.V.S. Moosa, Sindhu Sebastian, and councilors Laila Saji, Shibu K. Jose, P.V. George, P. Shamsudeen, Shobha Rajan, and Jitesh Kuriyakose. Acting Municipal Secretary Ramya Mahesh was also present.
A special felicitation was given to Anne Rose, who achieved exceptional success in the field of higher education.
