Rajani K.A., a former volunteer with the Haritha Karma Sena, has been elected president of the Erattayar grama panchayat in Idukki. Representing the United Democratic Front (UDF), she won from the Nalumukk ward by beating Communist Party of India candidate Nisha Anish by 264 votes. With UDF winning nine of the 15 wards, party leaders chose Rajani to lead the council. In a heartfelt ceremony on December 27, her former sanitation colleagues gifted her a saree and helped drape it for her swearing-in. The moment went viral on social media. Rajani said, “The Haritha Karma Sena volunteers worked as a family for the past five years. It was a deeply memorable event for me. I never expected such a gift from my co-workers. My co-workers’ gift shows their happiness in this shared pride. It proves that anyone, regardless of their background, can reach such positions.” Since 2021, Rajani has worked hard collecting waste and visiting homes across Erattayar, a panchayat already known for excellent waste management. She said, "Erattayar is already a model for waste management, and I intend to make our initiatives even more effective. Additionally, I plan to focus on tourism development within the panchayat.” Her husband Karunan and children Aparna and Akash supported her during this proud moment. Congress leaders say Rajani will serve as president for the next one and a half years under a term-sharing plan. She confirmed, “I will step down when my turn ends to allow other eligible members to lead.” Erattayar panchayat was recently praised in the Economic Survey by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for its grassroots-driven waste management success.