<p>Aritha Babu stands apart in the electoral fray in Kerala not just because she is the youngest Congress candidate in the fray, but because of the hardships she has been facing in her life.</p>.<p>Now, however, Aritha is literally stealing the limelight. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi stepped into her small house at Kayamkulam and was made to wait there as the 26-year-old candidate was busy with her campaigning.</p>.<p>"I am so proud of Aritha and you should be also feeling proud of your daughter as has been facing many struggles in her life," Priyanka told the people of Kayamkulam while holding Aritha firmly towards her.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/kerala-polls-modi-triggers-sabarimala-issue-while-priyanka-raises-love-jihad-row-968417.html" target="_blank">Kerala polls: Modi triggers Sabarimala issue while Priyanka raises ‘love jihad’ row</a></strong></p>.<p>Even when announcing Congress candidates for Kerala, state PCC president Mullappally Ramachandran had highlighted Aritha's candidature. She was believed to have been handpicked by Rahul Gandhi to contest against sitting MLA Prathibha Hari at Kayamkulam, which is in Alappuzha district.</p>.<p>Aritha, who is a graduate in commerce and now pursuing post-graduate in social work, hails from a weak family background. She rears cow and sells their milk to support her family. She made her entry to politics through Kerala Students Union and was earlier elected to the Alappuzha district panchayat.</p>
<p>Aritha Babu stands apart in the electoral fray in Kerala not just because she is the youngest Congress candidate in the fray, but because of the hardships she has been facing in her life.</p>.<p>Now, however, Aritha is literally stealing the limelight. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi stepped into her small house at Kayamkulam and was made to wait there as the 26-year-old candidate was busy with her campaigning.</p>.<p>"I am so proud of Aritha and you should be also feeling proud of your daughter as has been facing many struggles in her life," Priyanka told the people of Kayamkulam while holding Aritha firmly towards her.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/kerala-polls-modi-triggers-sabarimala-issue-while-priyanka-raises-love-jihad-row-968417.html" target="_blank">Kerala polls: Modi triggers Sabarimala issue while Priyanka raises ‘love jihad’ row</a></strong></p>.<p>Even when announcing Congress candidates for Kerala, state PCC president Mullappally Ramachandran had highlighted Aritha's candidature. She was believed to have been handpicked by Rahul Gandhi to contest against sitting MLA Prathibha Hari at Kayamkulam, which is in Alappuzha district.</p>.<p>Aritha, who is a graduate in commerce and now pursuing post-graduate in social work, hails from a weak family background. She rears cow and sells their milk to support her family. She made her entry to politics through Kerala Students Union and was earlier elected to the Alappuzha district panchayat.</p>