Roshini S: Pioneering Trans Candidate in Tamil Nadu's 2026 Assembly Elections
Tamil Nadu assembly polls 2026: ‘People don’t see me as a trans candidate, but as a sister’, says NTK’s Villivakkam candidate Roshini
The Times Of IndiaImage: The Times Of India
Roshini S, the NTK candidate for Villivakkam in Chennai, aims to become the first elected transwoman in Tamil Nadu's assembly elections. With a focus on community issues, she emphasizes her connection with voters, stating they see her as a sister rather than a trans candidate.
- 01Roshini S is the only trans candidate in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections for 2026.
- 02She emphasizes her connection with the community, stating that voters see her as a sister.
- 03Her campaign focuses on education, women's empowerment, cultural preservation, and environmental initiatives.
- 04Roshini aims to identify school dropouts and promote entrepreneurial education for women.
- 05She is competing against candidates from major parties like DMK and AIADMK.
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Roshini S, representing the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) party, is campaigning in Villivakkam, a suburb of Chennai, for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections in 2026. As the only transgender candidate in this election, Roshini aims to break barriers and hopes to become the first transwoman elected to the assembly. She has been active in social activism, particularly concerning environmental issues, and emphasizes her desire to connect with the community. Roshini's campaign slogan, 'Reach for the skies, Villivakkam,' reflects her aspirations for both herself and her constituents. She plans to address key issues such as educational support for school dropouts, women's entrepreneurial education, and environmental initiatives. Roshini believes that her identity as a trans candidate is secondary to her role as a sister to her constituents, stating that the public reception has been encouraging. She faces competition from candidates of established parties, including Karthik Mohan from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and S R Vijayakumar from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
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Roshini's candidacy could inspire greater representation for marginalized groups in Tamil Nadu politics, promoting inclusivity and awareness.
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