UP farmer’s son elected mayor of market town in England
London (PTI): A farmer’s son from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, who was elected as a local town councillor earlier this month, has been chosen as the new mayor of Wellingborough, a market town in Northamptonshire in the East Midlands region of England.
Raj Mishra, 37, was elected from Victoria Ward of the town in the local elections held on May 6 and went on to be elected the fifth mayor of Wellingborough Town Council at an Annual Town Council Meeting on Tuesday.
News of his election brought much cheer among his friends and family back in Mirzapur.
“It is an honour to serve as the mayor of Wellingborough. I am committed to working collaboratively with all residents to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous community. Together, we will build a brighter future for our town,” Mishra said in a statement.
“As mayor of Wellingborough, I bring years of local insight, professional experience, and a strong passion for public service to our community. Understanding the unique needs of our area, I am committed to supporting initiatives that drive positive change.
"My approach is rooted in listening, being approachable, and acting with integrity. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected Wellingborough for everyone,” the statement adds.
The Town Council Mayor is elected annually by the council from its elected members with a primary role to preside over council meetings, ensuring the proper conduct of business and interpreting standing orders.
The mayor also serves as a civic representative, connecting the council with the community and attending formal events.
Mishra, a Conservative Party member, has chosen the Veterans Community Network and Louisa Gregory’s Hospice Campaign as charities for his 2025-26 term.
His efforts over the course of the year will revolve around raising the profile of these organisations and attract funds and support for their work during his term.
“My approach to leadership is rooted in active listening and collaboration. I believe that every resident’s voice matters, and I am dedicated to ensuring that our town’s governance reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our community. By fostering open dialogues and building strong relationships, we can address challenges head-on and create lasting positive change,” adds Mishra.
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Focus on Vijay's poll promises; TVK assured 8 gm gold for women
Chennai (PTI): As the new-entrant TVK appears likely to emerge as the single largest party and form the government, the focus has now turned into actor-politician Vijay's poll promises, including 8 gm gold for marriage, which is worth about Rs 14,000 per gram (22 carat).
Vijay's assurances in the party manifesto include Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women below 60 years, 8 gm gold for marriage and six free cooking gas cylinders a year, per family.
By 3 PM, as per EC data, Vijay's party is leading in 105 constituencies and it falls short of a simple majority (118) in the Assembly.
The actor-turned-politician also assured a quality silk saree in addition to gold for indigent brides and interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for women-run SHGs. He assured corruption-free good governance if voted to power in his maiden electoral fight.
The manifesto also laid importance on education. To prevent school dropouts, mothers or guardians of children studying in government and state-aided schools will receive Rs 15,000 annually.
Vijay promised 100 special residential schools named after iconic leader K Kamaraj, credited with revolutionising education in the state, and higher education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh. The TVK founder also assured AI Ministry, AI University and AI City.
The manifesto placed a strong emphasis on agrarian welfare, too.
The party promised a full waiver of agricultural cooperative crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres of land, while those holding more than five acres will receive a 50 per cent waiver. Additionally, the party promised a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane.
Addressing youth unemployment, Vijay pledged to create five lakh new government jobs and offer as many stipendiary internships. Unemployed graduates will be provided a monthly aid of up to Rs 4,000. For government employees, the party assured consideration of the Old Pension Scheme and the regularisation of contract workers, including nurses.
On the health front, he promised a drug-free Tamil Nadu. Vijay also committed to modernising hospitals, providing free annual health checkups, and introducing a Rs 25 lakh family health insurance scheme.
The manifesto also included a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for the elderly and the differently-abled, 200 units of free power, patta (land deed) regularisation, and 100 per cent piped drinking water supply for all households.
Some of the policy intereventions promised by TVK include a legal guarantee to provide essential government services like community certificates, and land pattas, within a strictly specified timeframe.
Vijay also promised doorstep delivery of governance by implementing a system to deliver services, such as ration supplies, directly to the people. He also assured that ease of doing business will be paramount to his government and promised a strict guarantee that business licences will be issued within 21 days.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu were held on April 23.
