One can hardly identify that Jyothi, BJP candidate at the Palathulli division of the Kollengode block panchayat in Palakkad, is a non native. She speaks fluent Malayalam and dresses like a typical Malayalee girl, but she is a native of Bacheli in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. Jyothi would have never thought that she would someday become Kerala’s daughter-in-law when she married Palathulli native P V Vikas who is a CISF jawan.
Jyothi lost her right hand while saving an unknown CISF jawan (now her husband Vikas). “The day was January 3, 2010. I was seated just behind Vikas in the bus. Vikas was returning to his CISF unit at Bailadila in Dantewada district. Vikas was sleeping by resting his head on the window rails of the bus. Suddenly, I saw a truck coming in the direction of the rails on which Vikas’ head was resting after the driver lost control over the vehicle. I immediately put my hand out and pushed his head inside. Before I could take back my hand, the truck banged the bus crushing my hand,” said Jyothi in clear Malayalam. Later, the Keralite jawan, Vikas married Jyothi and thus she came to Kerala in 2011.
Jyothi is seeking votes on the issues of development and nationalism. “The BJP local committee requested me to contest and my in-laws and husband agreed. I had an affinity for the BJP while in Chhattisgarh itself and now I see that the party is gaining strength in Kerala also.” Jyothi visits the houses to seek votes along with other BJP activists.
