Meet Priya Rajan: Chennai's First Dalit Woman Mayor

Chennai has got its new mayor, and this time it is a woman with an M.Com graduate degree. The 28-year-old Priya Raja has sworn to become the youngest mayor of the capital of Tamil Nadu. She is the first Dalit woman to hold this position.

Indirect elections were held for a mayor and deputy mayor on Friday, March 4. A few days earlier, the DMK party won the local body polls with a majority. On Thursday, the party released the list of candidates for the two seats.

The position of mayor is significant in the politics of the state. In the past, Chief Minister M K Stalin and Health Minister Ma Subramanian were appointed for this position.

Image Courtesy: Times Of India

Who Is Priya Rajan?

Priya is the granddaughter of the former MLA of Perambur, Chengai Sivam. According to a report of Times of India, she said on Thursday that her priorities would be improving sanitation facilities and roads. She will also pay attention to the issues of women and their empowerment.

Taking over as councillor of ward 74, Priya Rajan will administer the North Chennai area, which is often depicted in the wrong light in Tamil cinema. Movies always show it to be full of violence. People believe that she will assist with the issues in the area.

She has been a party cadre since the age of 18. According to a report in The News Minute, the new mayor said, “I saw that the CM is trying to make a difference, I wanted to be a part of it. There are many issues that this neighbourhood faces. Water comes mostly only on alternate days, the roads need to be improved. There are electricity concerns.”

Speaking to the reporter of News9, she said, "I am glad that representation was given to North Chennai which needs to be improved in all aspects. I was born, brought up and studied here. I know about the problems as I am one among the community here (North Chennai).”

“I intend to focus on North Chennai as it has been neglected for years. We will develop our roads and infrastructure, and invite corporations to invest here. It doesn't mean that I will not concentrate on other parts of Chennai, it will be an inclusive growth that we are aiming for," she added.

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Priya Rajan believes that young people must get involved in Indian politics because they have new ideas and different perspectives. Her father R Rajan is the area co-secretary for the party. She was also involved in student politics while pursuing her M.Com from Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Arts and Science College for Women.

Image Courtesy: Indiatimes.com

About DMK Party

Among 153 wards represented by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, there are 100 women counsellors. Chennai Corporation has 50% of seats reserved for women. It is the largest political party in the state and Puducherry, one of the nine Union Territories of India with clean beaches and fun things to do.

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Founded in 1949, DMK is the third-largest party in Lok Sabha and a part of the United Progressive Alliance. It holds 125 seats in the Legislative Assembly of the state. Its Secular Progressive Alliance has 159 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

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