Chennai: They may address “thaaimaargale…” first in public meetings. But, when it comes to hardcore politics, men continue to dominate in Tamilnadu, though there were a few exceptions like Jayalalithaa. With her demise shattering the hopes of wannabe women politicos in the State, the upcoming Lok Sabha elections have brought to the fore a bunch of female politicians. These women are there in the political field for a while, but their presence is now felt in a never before way, in the run-up to the Parliamentary polls.
Kanimozhi
From Karunanidhi’s daughter to poet to accused in 2G case to Rajya Sabha MP, Kanimozhi’s journey is full of ups and downs. She is said to be the DMK’s candidate in Thoothukudi.
Already, her supporters are demanding a bigger role for her in the party and some of them are even dreaming of Deputy Prime Minister post for Kani. But, she is non-commital about anything and says ‘the DMK-Congress combine will sweep the polls’.
Tamilisai Soundararajan
It’s a big question whether anyone else would have tolerated criticism like Tamilisai Soundararajan did. Hailing from a Congress family, the gynecologist is now at the helm of BJP’s Tamilnadu unit.
Targeted personally than politically by meme-makers, this ‘Akka’ takes bouquets and brickbats alike. She is likely to contest against Kanimozhi in Thoothukudi.
Nirmala Sitharaman
India’s first woman Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman was born in Madurai and studied in Tiruchi and Chennai, before she moved to Delhi.
Once tipped as the BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate for Tamilnadu, Nirmala still oversees the party’s affairs in her home-State. The recent IAF strike on terror bases in Pakistan earned her brownie points and some criticism, too.
Premalatha
‘Lady Captain’ of DMDK, Premalatha is the de facto head of the DMDK, due to the failing health of her husband Vijayakanth. ‘Anniyar’ to supporters, Premalatha is known for her firm handling of party and alliance affairs.
According to reports, the Rajya Sabha seat demanded by the DMDK, “during its talks with the AIADMK and the DMK,” was for Premalatha.
Vanathi Srinivasan
A prominent face of Tamilnadu unit of Bharatiya Janata Party, vociferous Vanathi is good at not just debates, but field-work too. The State general secretary is in-charge of reaching out to voters in a sizeable number of constituencies. This time, she is expected to be fielded from the Kongu region.
Khushbu & Tamilachi
While actress Khusbu Sundar, the national spokesperson of Congress, is said to be one of the 10 candidates of her party in Tamilnadu, poet Tamilachi Thangapandian, daughter of DMK veteran Thangapandian and sister of former Minister Thangam Thennarasu, has filed application seeking a DMK ticket.