A New Chapter in Madurai Politics – 6 Women Councillors in the Race for the New Mayor Post!

Following the resignation of Madurai Mayor Indrani, the competition for the next mayoral post has intensified, with six women councillors reportedly in the race.

Among the frontrunners are former zonal leaders Vasuki Sasikumar and Saravana Bhuvaneshwari. However, speculation is rife about whom Minister Murthy and Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR) will support.

The recent ₹150 crore property tax scam in the Madurai Corporation sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu. In connection with this scandal, former Mayor Indrani’s husband Ponvasanth, along with 22 others, was arrested. Following this, several zonal leaders and two standing committee chairpersons also resigned from their positions.

After Ponvasanth was released on bail, he allegedly attempted to reassert control over the corporation’s administration the very next day. For over a year, he had been operating without the support of Minister PTR, which ultimately led to his expulsion from the party.

Upon learning this, the DMK’s Madurai district wing promptly alerted the party’s headquarters in Chennai. Consequently, Mayor Indrani and Corporation Commissioner Chitra were summoned to Chennai, where Indrani submitted her resignation letter in the presence of Minister K.N. Nehru. This sudden development caused ripples within the Madurai DMK.

With just six months to go before local body elections, the upcoming mayoral selection has drawn significant attention. For months, rumors of a possible mayoral change had been circulating. In anticipation, many DMK councillors have been vying for the backing of influential ministers, especially PTR and Minister Murthy, whose influence in Madurai remains strong.

Since the mayoral seat is reserved for women, six female councillors are currently under consideration:

In the Running for Mayor:

• Vasuki Sasikumar – Former East Zone DMK Leader, said to be the leading contender.
• Saravana Bhuvaneshwari – Also a former zonal leader, considered a close second.
• Mahalakshmi
• Rohini
• Lachika Sree
• Indira Gandhi

These names have emerged from internal party discussions and deliberations. With the selection meeting scheduled for tomorrow, all eyes are on the DMK leadership and their final decision.

Party sources indicate that the DMK high command is being cautious, given the public backlash following the tax scam and the need to present a clean and capable leadership ahead of the elections.

Will the new mayor bring administrative reform and restore trust in the Corporation?
Or is this just a power shuffle within the party?

Tomorrow’s decision could reshape the political landscape of Madurai.