This IV year law student from University Law College (ULC), Bangalore is making an early jump into politics. Son of professor, poet and Sahitya Academy awardee, L.N. Mukundaraj, Surya Mukundaraj is keen to make a difference. Standing as an independent candidate for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections from the Nagarbhavi ward, he is well aware that the road is not a bed of roses.

Turning Nagarbhavi, which houses the famous National Law School of India University, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore University amongst others, into an educational hub is on the top of his list. He believes that on account of the Nagarbhavi’s recent addition to the corporation, several developmental issues remain to be addressed. Having filed his nomination as an independent candidate, he has the support of students from University Law College and the professors. Speaking to Bar & Bench, the 21 year old said, “I am already under pressure from the Janata Dal Secular candidate, D. Muniraju to withdraw my candidature.” However, Surya is confident of the support he is receiving from both the college and the general public. “Everyone has been very encouraging. I spoke to all the joggers in the area today, and I have met with a lot of encouragement and enthusiasm.”

Speaking to Bar & Bench, Surya’s Professor V. Sudesh said, “The college is excited that one of our students is contesting the elections. We feel that lawyers form the cream of the politicians and the ULC alumni have always been an active part of politics.” The college however, is not extending any lenient treatment to Surya. “There is no question of granting him any leniency. The semester is almost at an end, and Surya has fulfilled all his attendance criteria. We will support him morally and in any other way he might require, like canvassing, as long as there is no interference with his academics or course requirements,” he added. However, it seems that everybody is not happy with the nomination. When contacted, by Bar & Bench, the Dean of ULC, Professor Subramaniam, obviously agitated, refused to comment on Surya’s nomination. 

S.M Krishna, the Union Minister for External Affairs, Veerappa Moily, Union Minister for Law, Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, S. Bangarappa, Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva are few of the many politicians who have emerged from the halls of this college. Whether Surya keeps up to the mark they have made, is something only time will tell.