Ettumanoor: A young woman contesting the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala has caught the country’s attention by declaring assets of Rs 84 in her affidavit.
Ashna Thampi (26), is contesting the Ettumanoor constituency on a Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) ticket. She has emerged as the least wealthy contender in the Kerala Elections 2026.
She holds Rs 40 in cash and Rs 44 in her bank account, with no ownership of property, land, house, jewellery, or vehicles, Ashna has claimed in her affidavit.
She may have modest financial resources at her disposal, but Ashna brings a strong academic and activist background to the contest, News18 has reported.
She reportedly holds a degree in literature and a postgraduate diploma in journalism, and has been actively associated with the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO). A full-time political worker, she has been involved in grassroots movements, particularly those advocating for the rights of ASHA workers.
She had shaved her head during one of her protests, drawing significant public attention. She also participated in agitations against the controversial K-Rail project.
Small contributions from supporters is keeping her campaign alive, while others in the fray are spending lakhs and even crores in reaching out to the public.
Friends, party workers and local residents are reportedly donating amounts ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 50 to fund the printing of posters and pamphlets on Ashna’s behalf. She is herself engaged in door-to-door outreach, distributing flyers and interacting directly with voters.
She is highlighting local issues during her campaign, such as the shortage of doctors at Kottayam Medical College, challenges faced by paddy farmers, and drinking water scarcity in the region.
“In a democracy, people’s issues matter more than money,” she said, in a constituency where she faces challenges from candidates backed by significantly larger financial resources and expansive campaign machinery.
Ashna comes from a family of daily wage labourers and long-time party workers, and her journey is being viewed by supporters as rooted in service rather than financial ambition. Many social media users have described her as a symbol of integrity and grassroots politics.
The Ettumanoor constituency in the Kottayam district is scheduled to go to polls on April 6. The legal expenditure limit for an assembly candidate is Rs 40 lakh, and candidates are required to submit a security deposit of Rs 10,000 for the general and Rs 5,000 for the reserved category. The deposit is forfeited if the candidate fails to secure a minimum prescribed number of votes.
Regardless of the final result, Ashna’s candidacy has already carved out a distinct narrative in this election season, with her affidavit becoming a talking point, raising broader questions about the role of money in electoral politics.
