Alka Ann Julius, the 23-year-old MSW graduate from Christ University, Bengaluru, wants to pursue a PhD on empowering ASHA and Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) workers in the state. If everything goes as planned, she may well have the chance to get a firsthand experience of how ASHA and HKS workers go about their daily jobs. Alka contests as the Congress candidate from Ward 15, Kanjikuzhy, of the Kottayam Municipality. 

A day ahead of filing nominations, she is at ease knocking on the doors of voters of an apartment in Kottayam. A smile breaks the ice, a warm greeting follows, then a prayer for a vote. An elderly woman leans forward - a gentle pat on her cheeks and an assuring grip on her shoulders. Good in academics, she seems to have learnt her lessons well from her father, Julius Chacko- a three-time councillor of the Kottayam Municipality.

From a young age, she has accompanied him in campaigns and public engagements. This election, there is a role reversal for the father-daughter duo. She says her understanding of civic issues helped her take the lead in initiatives such as promoting menstrual leave in MG University campuses during her time at UC College, Aluva.

An active KSU member during her college days, she has already mapped out the key issues that demand attention in the area.

"The proudest achievement of my student years was helping introduce menstrual leave across all colleges in the state," Alka recalled. As the union general secretary at her college, she often heard from students who struggled to attend classes during menstruation.

"I approached our principal seeking leave for girls during their periods. But he said such a decision had to come from the university. When we approached the university, they told us only the government could approve it," she said.

Undeterred, Alka and her fellow students submitted a petition to the Higher Education Department. In 2023, the state government announced menstrual leave for female students at universities in Kerala under the Department of Higher Education, following CUSAT's similar decision. Alka expressed enthusiasm that if a small action can bring about change, she can do much more as a councillor.

"Waste management is a major issue. The municipality has already installed waste bins in all households, but there is still scope to do more," she said. If elected, Alka said she would study the existing system closely and take the necessary steps to improve it.

"I completed my master’s degree in Bengaluru. There, waste is collected daily and segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories. Separate vehicles collect plastic waste and food waste. We can implement a similar system here as well," she said.

Alka added that during her campaign, several residents shared their various needs and concerns with her, and she intends to address them if she wins. She hopes to combine her academic background in social work with her political responsibilities to work effectively for their welfare.

Her father, Julius, said he was confident that the Congress-led UDF would come to power in the municipality. "In the current term, the municipality was governed without a proper majority, which created several issues in planning and implementing projects, as well as in allocating funds for various schemes. Once the UDF comes to power with a clear majority, things will change and people will see the difference," he said. Julius added that he was fully confident of his daughter’s victory.

Alka completed her BSc in Psychology from UC College and her MSW from Christ College, Bengaluru.