Trans Woman Bharathi Kannamma to contest TN assembly elections

A trans woman, Bharathi Kannamma is contesting in the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections from the South Madurai constituency. She is a prominent queer right activist and represents the New Generation People's Party.

Kannamma holds a Bachelors in the economy, Masters in sociology, a Diploma in computer engineering and a Doctorate in sociology.

This is Kannamma's third attempt in the election; in 2014 she contested for the first time making her the first transwoman to contest the election in India. Earlier she stood as an independent candidate.

In an interview with ANI,  Kannamma said “I am proud to be contesting in the election as a transgender for the first time in India." Kannamma appealed to people to vote for her as: “We have no family so we will not be corrupt. I appeal to the people of Tamil to vote for me.”

Kannamma promises people government jobs, ration plans and healthcare for the people of Madurai. Ahead of the election, she also impresses upon the need to secure reservations for trans persons in the legislature. "I will provide one government job to every family once I win the elections. Everyone will get ration enough rations for three meals a day. I will come up with a restaurant plan… It’s necessary to give trans person reservations for contesting elections,” she told ANI.

The sixteenth assembly election of Tamil Nadu will take place this year on April 6, 2021.

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