The Congress has fielded Vijaya Sekar, president of Pappakurichi village panchayat, as its candidate for the Tiruchi Mayor's post.
Her nomination comes after S.Sujatha, incumbent Mayor, declined to contest even though she was re-nominated for the post.
Forty-five-year-old Ms.Sekar, a former lecturer in a city college, is no stranger to electoral politics, having been elected president of the Pappakurichi panchayat in 2006. Pappakurichi is one of the four village panchayats along with the Tiruverumbur Town Panchayat that have been merged with the Tiruchi Corporation after delimitation.
“The administrative experience by serving in one of the largest panchayats in the state would stand me in good stead,” she told The Hindu . Neither does she entertain any regret on not being the party's first choice candidate. “I take pride in contesting on the Congress symbol,” she said. Solving problems in supply of drinking water and beautification of the city are among her priorities.
DMDK candidate
Meanwhile, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam has fielded an advocate and social activist, Chithra Vijayakumar for the Tiruchi Mayor's post. Ms.Vijayakumar is deputy secretary of the urban district women's wing of the party.
Ms.Vijayakumar (38) has unsuccessfully contested as an Independent from ward 55 of the Tiruchi Corporation in 2006. She is also a trustee of Amirtham Social Service Trust and has spearheaded social campaigns on various issues.
Setting up an integrated bus stand, shifting of the wholesale section of the Gandhi Market and greening the city would be her priorities. She would also press for bringing a metro rail project for the city.
The Bharathiya Janatha Party has fielded 55-year old M.Girija as its candidate for the Mayor's post. Ms.Girija is an English professor at the Institute of Fire and Safety Management.
The Puthiya Tamizhagam has also entered the fray for the Mayor's election and fielded Nagarathinam, a resident of Anna Nagar, as its candidate.
