Bharathi Kannamma, a transgender activist, a trans woman and a postgraduate in Sociology has once again decided to contest as an independent candidate for the Madurai seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. Contesting General Elections for the second time after 2014, Bharathi’s biggest poll promise is to bring in a wealth ceiling. Her three-point manifesto focuses on education, employment, and wealth regulation.
She will be pitted against R Gopalakrishnan, AIADMK’s sitting MP from Madurai.
Donning the Goddess Meenakshi avatar of the famous Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple, paired with a crown and a colourful garland, Bharathi on Friday filled her nomination to contest in the General Elections from Madurai constituency. Kannamma was accompanied by two persons dressed like people belonging to the Muslim and Christian communities.
While speaking to TNM, Bharathi said, “Just like how a land-ceiling came in, there must be an upper ceiling for one’s earnings as well. The idea is to automatically deposit the extra earnings of a person beyond a legally mandated amount to the state exchequer. This money can be used to provide public welfare schemes, and will increase the fund availability of the government.”
She further added that, “If there is legally no way to hoard wealth, then why would people steal or indulge in corruption? If the efforts put in to earn wealth by unfair means end up in vain, then I don’t think anyone would engage in corruption.”
She also added that such measures would help eradicate segregation in the society.
Also read: Karnataka: Sumalatha Ambareesh files nomination from Mandya seat
Bharathi Kannamma as Political & Social Activist
Kannamma came out in 2004 as transgender and soon began devoting her time to social activism, fighting for the rights of transgender people. But her current campaign focuses on other issues too. For example, she hopes to develop the city’s infrastructure and rid its systems of corruption.
Bharathi Kannamma’s interest in politics was piqued when she was in college. She made her first foray into politics in 2011, when she filed nomination papers to contest for the Mayor’s post in Madurai. However, her nomination was rejected by the electoral officer who had stated that a trans woman cannot contest in election. She approached the court after this and won an order against her rejection.
Voting for 39 seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 18 and result will be announced on May 23.
