Hindu Makkal Katchi fields transgender for Madurai Assembly seat

Madurai: The Hindu Makkal Katchi state president Arjun Sampath announced candidates, including a transgender, for nine Madurai Assembly constituencies here on Friday.

Transgender Anushiya Shree will contest from Madurai south assembly constituency. “I thank HMK for recognising the talent of transgender and allocating a seat for me,” said Shree to Deccan Chronicle.

“As weavers in Madurai south constituency are struggling for their livelihood due to a crisis in handloom industry, I will take steps to solve their problems,” she said.

Shree also said that she would take steps to increase employment opportunities for educated youth in the constituency. Earlier, speaking to reporters, Sampath said the party would also stress on reservation for transgenders in employment and education in their election manifesto.

The other major features in the manifesto, to be released shortly, are to improve the infrastructure in Madurai city and to make Tamil medium compulsory up to standard five, he pointed out.

He also submitted petition to the election officials demanding action against actor-turned politician Khushboo for her remarks against transgenders.  
Stating that candidates might face difficulties in filing nomination on April 22 in a few places in Madurai because the Lord Kallaalagar's river entry festival falls on the same day, he urged the Collector to identify alternative places.

Sampath also requested the election officials not to prevent the setting up of water pandal during the festival by volunteers. Collector Veera Raghava Rao clarified that they wouldn't prevent a religious organisation or volunteers from involving in religious activities during the festival.

“The festival will no way affect the candidates from filing their nomination on April 22”, he said.