Twenty-three-year-old Tushar Kumar, originally from Rohtak in Haryana, has been elected mayor of the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council in the United Kingdom, becoming the country’s youngest Indian-origin mayor. His mother, Parveen Rani, was also elected deputy mayor in Hertsmere Borough Council following local council elections.
Tushar Kumar, who contested the election as a Labour Party candidate, secured 832 votes and defeated his Conservative opponent by a margin of one vote. Election officials conducted a recount before officially confirming his victory.
Kumar’s family is originally from Rohtak, Haryana, where he lived until around the age of 10 before moving to the United Kingdom with his parents. According to the source content, his parents have been associated with the education sector and encouraged a focus on academics and social service. Kumar has stated in interviews that his mother encouraged him to remain connected to Indian culture, traditions, and social values, adding that he has maintained his Indian identity and cultural heritage while living abroad.
Kumar studied politics at the undergraduate level and said he plans to continue higher education. He stated that he is scheduled to begin a master’s degree in political economy at University College London in September 2026. During his student years, he became involved in community activities and local issues, building political engagement at an early stage.
In May 2023, Kumar became the youngest Indian-origin councillor in the United Kingdom at the age of 20 while studying at King’s College London.
Before becoming mayor, Kumar served as a councillor and participated in promoting Indian festivals and cultural programmes in his area. According to the source content, he helped organise Diwali celebrations in Elstree and Borehamwood, which later became an annual community event attended by both Indian and British residents. Kumar stated that cultural programmes are an effective means of bringing different communities together and said diversity should be respected in a multicultural society such as the United Kingdom.
Parveen Rani’s election as deputy mayor marks another leadership position for the family in local administration. According to the source content, she has long been involved in social work and community programmes, including issues related to education, women’s empowerment, and local community development.
The source content states that Indian-origin leaders have increased their participation in British politics in recent years across both parliamentary and local institutions. It also states that interest in politics among Indian-origin youth increased following the appointment of Rishi Sunak as prime minister, with greater representation emerging at the local level.
Kumar said young people in the United Kingdom have opportunities to participate in politics and that democratic institutions provide a platform to raise their voices. He also stated that he intends to focus on education, youth employment, and community development issues in the future.
