Navya Haridas is one of the most recognisable faces of the BJP in northern Kerala today. A politician from Kozhikode who once worked as a software professional in Singapore, her journey into public life is anything but ordinary. From winning a corporation seat by just 129 votes to facing Priyanka Gandhi in a high-stakes Lok Sabha bypoll — and now contesting the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections from Kozhikode North — Navya Haridas has become a symbol of the BJP’s push to grow roots in a Congress and Left stronghold. If you’ve been wondering who she really is and why she keeps trending in Kerala politics, read on.
Quick Profile: Navya Haridas at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Navya Haridas |
| Date of Birth | 1985 |
| Age (as of 2026) | Around 40 years |
| Birthplace | Kozhikode, Kerala, India |
| Profession | Politician |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) / NDA |
| Known For | Kozhikode Corporation councillor, Wayanad bypoll 2024 against Priyanka Gandhi, Kerala Assembly elections 2026 |
| Education | B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, KMCT College of Engineering, Kozhikode (2007) |
| School | Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kozhikode |
| Marital Status | Married (since 2009) |
| Husband | Shobin Shyam (Marine Engineer) |
| Children | Son – Satvik Shobin; Daughter – Ishana Shobin |
| Net Worth (declared, 2021) | Approx. ₹31.76 lakhs |
| @navyaharidasbjp | |
| navyaHaridasBJP |
Early Life & Background: Roots in Kozhikode
Navya Haridas was born and raised in Kozhikode, one of Kerala’s most historically and politically significant cities. She grew up in a family with ties to the Sangh Parivar, and according to available public sources, she participated in RSS student activities from a young age. This early exposure to grassroots organisation would later shape her approach to public life.
Her hometown of Kozhikode — known historically as Calicut, the city where Vasco da Gama first landed — has long been a political battleground between the Congress and the Left. For the BJP, making inroads here has been a long-term challenge, and Navya Haridas has been at the centre of that effort.
Education: Engineer Before Politician
Navya completed her schooling at Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Kozhikode before going on to pursue a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from KMCT College of Engineering, Kozhikode. She graduated in 2007 — a qualification that set her apart from many traditional political backgrounds in Kerala.
Her academic background in engineering reflects a practical, problem-solving mindset that she has brought into her political work at the grassroots level.
Career: From Software Professional to BJP Leader
Before entering politics, Navya Haridas built a professional career in the IT sector. After graduating, she worked as a software professional with HSBC Bank for around two and a half years. In 2009, following her marriage to marine engineer Shobin Shyam, she moved to Singapore, where she continued working in the technology field.
Her entry into politics came almost by chance. Reports suggest that around 2015, when she was visiting Kozhikode, local BJP leaders approached her to contest the Kozhikode Corporation elections. Given her family’s longstanding connection to the Sangh, she agreed — initially planning to return to Singapore if she lost.
She didn’t lose.
Political Journey: From Corporation Councillor to National Headlines
Kozhikode Corporation: Where It All Began
Navya Haridas first won a seat in the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation in 2015, with a slender margin of just 129 votes. That narrow win marked the beginning of a political career that would gain remarkable momentum. She was re-elected to the Kozhikode Corporation again in 2021, cementing her position as a reliable BJP presence in the city’s local governance.
Her work at the corporation level — engaging directly with citizen issues in wards, pushing for development, and building a visible public identity — earned her recognition within the party. She also rose to become General Secretary of the Kerala BJP Mahila Morcha, giving her a state-level platform.
2021 Kerala Assembly Elections
In the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections, Navya Haridas contested from the Kozhikode South constituency on a BJP ticket. While she did not win the seat — losing to Indian National League candidate Ahamed Devarkovil — she played a significant role in shifting the vote share in the constituency. The BJP’s vote percentage in that area reportedly climbed from around 16.56% in 2016 to approximately 20.89% in 2021 under her candidacy. Finishing third with nearly 24,873 votes, her performance was seen as a moral victory of sorts for the party in a tough seat.
Wayanad Lok Sabha Bypoll 2024: The Priyanka Gandhi Contest
In late 2024, Navya Haridas stepped onto the national stage when the BJP named her as their candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll — an election that had become a high-profile event because Congress fielded Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, making her electoral debut in Indian politics.
The contest drew enormous national media attention. While Navya Haridas BJP leader lost the seat, her willingness to take on one of Indian politics’ most prominent names earned her widespread recognition. She became one of the most searched political figures in Kerala during the campaign period. According to available public sources, she also challenged the election result legally, reflecting her determination to contest outcomes through proper democratic channels.
2026 Kerala Assembly Elections: Kozhikode North
As of March 2026, Navya Haridas is the NDA candidate for the Kozhikode North Assembly constituency in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. She held a roadshow in Kozhikode on March 21, 2026, ahead of filing her nomination papers socialnews — a visible, energetic push that signals how seriously the BJP is investing in this seat.
Personal Life: Family Behind the Politician
Navya Haridas married Shobin Shyam, a marine engineer, in 2009. The couple has two children — a son, Satvik Shobin, and a daughter, Ishana Shobin. Despite the demands of an active political career, she is known to maintain a close family life.
Her husband’s profession as a marine engineer reflects a middle-class, professional family background — something that resonates with the urban and semi-urban voters she often addresses.
Net Worth
According to her 2021 election affidavit (the most recent publicly available declaration), Navya Haridas declared total assets of approximately ₹31.76 lakhs. This included jewellery worth around ₹24.75 lakhs, bank deposits, a motor vehicle, and some agricultural land. She declared no significant liabilities at the time.
Interesting Facts About Navya Haridas
- She nearly returned to her IT career in Singapore after the 2015 elections — she only stayed because she won.
- She is a trained mechanical engineer who pivoted entirely to public service.
- Her victory margin in 2015 was just 129 votes — one of the closest wins in Kozhikode Corporation history.
- She contested against Priyanka Gandhi in the 2024 Wayanad bypoll — a national headline moment for a grassroots BJP leader from Kozhikode.
- She is active on social media under the handle @navyaharidasbjp, regularly posting about her political work and community engagement.
- She grew up with connections to RSS student activities, which shaped her organisational skills early on.
FAQ: Navya Haridas — Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Navya Haridas?
Navya Haridas is a BJP politician from Kozhikode, Kerala. She is a former corporation councillor, General Secretary of Kerala BJP Mahila Morcha, and has contested both state and national elections representing the BJP/NDA.
What is Navya Haridas’s age?
According to available public sources, Navya Haridas was born in 1985, making her approximately 40 years old as of 2026.
Is Navya Haridas part of BJP?
Yes. Navya Haridas has been an active member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since around 2015 and holds a leadership position in the Kerala BJP Mahila Morcha.
Who is Navya Haridas’s husband?
Her husband is Shobin Shyam, a marine engineer. They married in 2009 and have two children together.
What is Navya Haridas’s role in Kozhikode Corporation?
She was elected as a councillor in the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation in 2015 and re-elected in 2021. Her corporation-level work in Kozhikode helped establish her political base before she moved to higher-level contests.
Why is Navya Haridas in the news in 2026?
Navya Haridas is currently in the news because she is the NDA candidate from Kozhikode North in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, and recently held a high-profile roadshow in the city ahead of filing her nomination.
