KOCHI: There are film stars, businessmen and celebrities who turned politicians. However, what’s rare is to see a face from the modeling world to the politics. Henna Maria Kennedy, a twenty two-year old model and an engineering pass out in Electronics and Communication, is scripting history by contesting as a BJP candidate at St Joseph Ward from Kalamassery Municipality.
Henna won the runner-up title in the Navy Queen contest held at Kataribhagh in Kochi in 2011 and later went on to contest in the semifinals of last years’s Femina Miss India contest. When Henna, started her modelling career at the age of 16, it was just a hobby for her. Her passion, however, was to become a social worker.
“ Modeling was always a hobby for me and I never took it seriously. I just grabbed opportunities when it came my way. My dream is to be an active social worker with which I can help serve needy people. I also worked with YMCA and many social groups for the same purpose. This is a big chance for me to do something for the people,” said Henna.
However, she had not anticipated the call to contest the polls so early. “ My father is district president of Kerala Congress (Nationalist), an NDA ally so some top leaders approached me with the request to contest in the election,” Henna added.
Henna rejected a job offer from IBM, Bangalore in view of the polls. She received the offer last week. “ At present, we are concentrating on this election and working hard to meet each candidates for scripting history. We are getting good response as well,” she added.
As she is contesting from the UDF fort, she has to take a lot of effort. However, as St Joseph ward is situated in the christian fold, she will have an upper hand. “ At present I can’t comment on the developments I will bring to the ward. However, I will do what society requires me to do,” she added
At present, Henna has garned celebrity status in a short span of time. She has been attending the campaign of other BJP Candidates in the city. Veemol Varghese is the UDF candidate in the ward and Preethi Pious is contesting for the LDF.