UP farmer's son elected as Mayor of UK town

Mirzapur-born Rajkumar Mishra, who moved to the UK five years ago for higher studies, has been elected the Mayor of Bellingbury City in London.

A native of Bhatewra village in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur, Mishra originally went to London to pursue an MTech in Computer Science. An engineer by profession, he stayed on after completing his education, took up employment, and gradually developed an interest in local politics.

Two months ago, he joined the Labour Party and contested local elections.

On April 3, Mishra was elected councillor, and just over a week later, on April 12, he was



nominated and sworn in as the Mayor of Bellingbury. In a video message from London, he confirmed the news and expressed joy over his election.

Back in Mirzapur, the news sparked celebrations in his hometown. His family, overwhelmed with pride, said Rajkumar's journey from a small village to holding a public office in a foreign country was inspiring.

Rajkumar is the sixth of nine siblings in the family of local farmer Munna Lal Mishra. He completed his BTech from Chandigarh before heading to the UK. His brother Sushil Kumar Mishra said Rajkumar received British citizenship and chose to settle there permanently.