Ramya Haridas is one of the most inspiring stories in Kerala’s political history. Born into a family where her father was a daily wage labourer and her mother a tailor, she rose from near-complete obscurity to become a Member of Parliament — winning with a margin of over 1.5 lakh votes. A folk singer, a grassroots activist, and a trailblazing Dalit woman politician, Ramya Haridas MP is now back in the spotlight as the Congress-UDF candidate for the Chirayinkeezhu Assembly constituency in the 2026 Kerala Elections. So how did this remarkable journey happen, and what makes her one of Kerala’s most watched political figures right now?
Ramya Haridas – Quick Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ramya Haridas |
| Date of Birth | 11 January 1986 |
| Age | 40 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Kozhikode, Kerala, India |
| Profession | Politician, Social Worker, Folk Singer |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Known For | Former MP (Alathur), Folk Singer, Dalit Woman Leader, 2026 Chirayinkeezhu Candidate |
| Political Party | Indian National Congress (INC) |
| Education | Not fully available in public records |
| Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | ₹63.7 lakh (declared assets, 2024 election affidavit) |
| Ramyaharidasmp | |
| ramyaharidas.inc |
1. Early Life & Background
Ramya Haridas was born on 11 January 1986 in Kozhikode, Kerala, into an underprivileged Dalit family. Her father was a daily wage labourer and her mother was a tailor. These humble beginnings defined who she would become — a politician with an authentic, ground-level understanding of poverty, struggle, and aspiration that is rare in Kerala’s political landscape.
She is only the second Dalit female parliamentarian from the state of Kerala, after Dakshayani Velayudhan of the Pulaya community, a member of the Constituent Assembly of India which acted as India’s first parliament in the 1940s. That context alone tells you how significant her 2019 election victory was — not just personally, but historically.
2. Education
Ramya Haridas’s full educational qualifications are not clearly available in verified public records. According to her parliamentary profile, detailed academic information was not submitted. What is evident, however, is that her life experience, activism, and political training shaped her far more than any formal institution could. Her years in KSU, Youth Congress, and on the front lines of land rights movements gave her a practical education in Kerala’s complex socio-political landscape.
3. Career Journey
From Singer to Activist
Ramya Haridas is also a gifted folk singer — and this talent became an unexpected political asset. She is a social activist and folk singer, who sings folk songs for her public and political functions. During her campaign trail, voters would stop and gather just to hear her sing — a rare and powerful moment of connection between a candidate and the public that money simply cannot buy.
Entry Into Congress
Ramya Haridas began her political career in 2011 when she was shortlisted in a talent hunt programme conducted by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. She also received personal mentorship from Rahul Gandhi. Her mother’s affiliation with Kerala Mahila Congress also led to Ramya’s involvement in electoral politics. She started off as a member of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and later joined the Youth Congress. She was also active in land rights struggles through her involvement with Ekta Parishad, a national movement working on social and land reform issues.
4. Political Career
The 2019 Lok Sabha Victory – A Historic Win
The defining moment of Ramya Haridas’s career came in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, when she contested from the Alathur constituency in Palakkad — a seat with strong Left presence and significant Dalit voter base.
When her candidature for the 2019 elections was announced, she was serving as Block Panchayat President for Kunnamangalam, Kozhikode district. She was the only Lok Sabha candidate from Kerala handpicked by Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
The campaign itself became a national story. During her election campaign in Alathur, Ramya Haridas claims she had only three sets of dresses. By the end of her campaign, she had 56 of them, all donated by her supporters. Her fundraising campaign, called the “Ramya Haridas Challenge Fund,” raised over ₹10 lakh, with support from figures like Shashi Tharoor.
She defeated the LDF’s strong candidate by a majority of over 1.5 lakh votes to join parliament for the first time. She was the only female parliamentarian to be elected from the state of Kerala in the elections of 2019 — and also the youngest among all of Kerala’s MPs at the time.
Parliament Performance
During her tenure as MP from 2019 to 2024, Ramya Haridas attended approximately 72% of parliamentary sessions, asked 321 questions during her term, and actively participated in debates — figures that reflect genuine legislative engagement from a first-time MP.
2024 Lok Sabha: A Difficult Defeat
Ramya Haridas contested again in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections from Alathur but was unable to retain the seat, conceding to the CPI candidate K. Radhakrishnan. That same year, she also contested in the Chelakkara Assembly bypoll as part of the UDF effort, though the seat was not retained.
5. The 2026 Chirayinkeezhu Challenge
Congress Fields Ramya in a Key SC Constituency
Congress is fielding former Lok Sabha MP Ramya Haridas in the Chirayinkeezhu constituency — a reserved (SC) seat in Thiruvananthapuram district — as part of its first candidate list for the 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections. Ramya Haridas will contest from the reserved Chirayinkeezhu constituency, continuing her role as a prominent Dalit woman leader in the party.
Internal Opposition — A Candid Picture
The candidacy has not been without friction. Ramya Haridas has been chosen to contest from Chirayinkeezhu, despite strong local opposition. Local leader Ajith Kumar, who was in contention for the seat, stated that MP Adoor Prakash had backed Haridas, leaving many local leaders unhappy. The Congress high command, however, stood firm on the decision.
In Chirayinkeezhu, Ramya Haridas of INC will face Manoj B Edamana of CPI. Haridas herself has responded to the controversy with characteristic confidence, saying she is certain of a UDF victory in the constituency and has already begun active campaigning on the ground.
6. Achievements & Public Recognition
- Elected as the only female MP from Kerala in 2019, and the second-ever Dalit woman MP from the state
- Used her folk singing talent to build a powerful connection with voters — turning campaign events into community gatherings
- Active parliamentary participation with 321 questions raised during her Lok Sabha tenure
- Associated with land rights and social reform movements through Ekta Parishad
- Her crowdfunded election campaign became a national example of grassroots political financing
- Fielded by Congress for Chirayinkeezhu in 2026 — a significant show of trust from the party’s central leadership
7. Personal Life
Ramya Haridas’s marital status is not publicly confirmed in verified sources. She has maintained a largely private personal life throughout her political career, keeping her family background separate from her public persona. Her mother, Radha, is a member of the All India Mahila Congress and has been a significant influence in her political journey from the very beginning.
According to available public sources, Ramya Haridas’s family — particularly her mother — has been her strongest personal support system through the challenges of political life in Kerala.
8. Net Worth
According to her 2024 election affidavit, Ramya Haridas possesses total declared assets of ₹63.7 lakh, including ₹23.7 lakh in movable assets and ₹40 lakh in immovable assets, with liabilities of ₹14.6 lakh. This declaration reflects her status as a politician whose personal wealth remains modest — consistent with her background and public image.
9. Interesting Facts About Ramya Haridas
- She is one of the very few Indian politicians who actively sings folk songs at campaign events — and voters genuinely show up just to hear her
- Her “3 dresses to 56 dresses” campaign story became a widely shared symbol of public affection for a political candidate
- She was the only Lok Sabha candidate from Kerala handpicked by Rahul Gandhi for the 2019 elections
- She filed a police complaint against a CPM politician who made inappropriate remarks about her — demonstrating the personal challenges women face in Kerala’s political arena
- She is just the second Dalit woman to be elected as MP from Kerala in over 70 years of Indian democracy
- She has now contested across three different constituencies — Alathur (2019, 2024 Lok Sabha), Chelakkara (2024 bypoll), and Chirayinkeezhu (2026 Assembly) — showing remarkable political persistence
FAQ: Ramya Haridas
Who is Ramya Haridas?
Ramya Haridas is a Kerala politician, social worker, and folk singer from Kozhikode. She is a member of the Indian National Congress and served as the Member of Parliament from the Alathur Lok Sabha constituency from 2019 to 2024. She is the Congress-UDF candidate for the Chirayinkeezhu Assembly constituency in the 2026 Kerala Elections.
What is Ramya Haridas’s age?
Ramya Haridas was born on 11 January 1986, making her 40 years old as of 2026.
Is Ramya Haridas married?
Ramya Haridas’s marital status is not publicly confirmed in verified sources. She has kept her personal life private and no official statements about her marriage or relationship status have been made public.
What is Ramya Haridas known for?
She is known for being the only female MP elected from Kerala in 2019, the second-ever Dalit woman MP from the state, her folk singing talent used during election campaigns, and her historic crowdfunded election campaign. She is currently known as Congress’s 2026 candidate for Chirayinkeezhu.
Which constituency does Ramya Haridas represent?
She served as MP from the Alathur Lok Sabha constituency (2019–2024). In the 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections, she is contesting from the Chirayinkeezhu Assembly constituency in Thiruvananthapuram district.
Is Ramya Haridas contesting in the 2026 election?
Yes. Congress is fielding former Lok Sabha MP Ramya Haridas in the Chirayinkeezhu constituency for the 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections scheduled for April 9, 2026. She will face CPI’s Manoj B Edamana as her primary opponent.
Conclusion
Ramya Haridas represents everything that is both inspiring and complex about modern Kerala politics. Her story — from a home with three dresses to the floor of the Lok Sabha, from a folk singer’s stage to a parliamentary podium — is one of the most genuinely moving political journeys the state has seen in recent times. She did not arrive through dynasty, connection, or money. She arrived through talent, resilience, and an unbreakable bond with the ordinary people of Kerala.
Her 2026 contest in Chirayinkeezhu is her next chapter — one that comes with internal party friction, a tough opponent, and the weight of expectation. But if there is one thing Ramya Haridas MP‘s career has shown us, it is that she performs best when the odds are stacked against her. As Kerala votes on April 9, Chirayinkeezhu will be among the most emotionally watched constituencies in the state — because this is not just an election. For Ramya, it is a statement.
