Alappuzha: P S Anitha Mary, who resigned from state government service along with her husband after alleging harassment by politically backed senior officers, is contesting the local body elections in Kerala.

She is the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate from Ward 23 of the Cherthala South panchayat. "My husband, A J Jaison, and I left government service in 2023 after facing mental harassment from our superiors," Anitha said.

While working as a matron at the old-age home in Thavanur, Malappuram, Anitha strongly protested a senior officer's misbehaviour and filed a police complaint. Soon, superior officers started harassing Anitha and her husband. 

At that time, Jaison was a livestock inspector in the Animal Husbandry Department, and his seniors targeted him when he supported Anitha. The couple quit government service when their wages were blocked, faced threats, and were slapped with false cases.