The name of 43-year-old JB Mather has been approved as the Congress party’s Rajya Sabha candidate from Kerala. This is an unexpected promotion for JB Mather, a lawyer by profession, as it is the first time after 42 years that a woman is being given a chance in the Rajya Sabha as a Congress representative from the state of Kerala. Prior to this was the late Leela Damodar Menon, who represented Kerala in the Rajya Sabha from 1974-1980. JB Mather is also the first candidate from the Muslim community. By finalizing the name of JB Mather, the party high command has hit many targets with one arrow.
On getting his name sealed from the Congress High Command for the Rajya Sabha seat, JB Mather said it was quite unexpected. There were reports in the media that my name is also in the list. This decision is an identity for women and youth. I will fulfill my responsibility well. Mathar is presently the Vice President of Aluva Municipality and also the State President of Mahila Congress. He resigned from the post of Municipal Councilor on Saturday.
Mather further said that the country is passing through a difficult situation. Hate and divisive politics are ruling these days. I will study all the issues in detail and answer accordingly.
Earthquake in Kerala Congress
On the other hand, Biju Thomas, son of Congress leader KV Thomas, took aim at the party after his father’s name was not finalized for the Rajya Sabha. Said that there is a huge shortage of leaders in the party which has compelled it to give a Rajya Sabha seat to a person who is already holding several posts.
Mather is not from any group
Party insiders say that when the lobbying intensified for the seat vacated by senior leader AK Antony, he (JB Mather) was nominated as a compromise candidate by the party high command. He is not identified with any group. Before the name was finalized, the party’s state president K Sudhakaran had also opened a front against the high command, he had also reached Delhi with the state party leaders and had a meeting with Sonia Gandhi.
Who is JB Mather
Coming from a traditional Congress family, JB Mather started his political career with the Kerala Students Union. She later worked with the Youth Congress and became its National Secretary in 2016 and was promoted as the President of Mahila Congress last year. His grandfather was the state Congress president in the 1970s and his father KMI Mather was a Congress leader and also the president of the Kerala Football Association. His brother Shafi Mather was an economic advisor to the Oommen Chandy government (2006–2011).