Tamilisai Soundararajan
2nd Governor of Telangana
Assumed office
8 September 2019
Chief Minister
Preceded byE. S. L. Narasimhan
Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry
(Additional Charge)
Assumed office
18 February 2021
Chief Minister
Preceded byKiran Bedi
6th President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Tamil Nadu
In office
16 August 2014 – 1 September 2019
Preceded byPon Radhakrishnan
Succeeded byL. Murugan
Director (Independent Charge),
Bharat Petroleum Corporation of India[1]
In office
16 September 2017 – 1 September 2019
National Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party
In office
2013–2014
Vice-President of Bharatiya Janata Party (Tamil Nadu)
In office
2010–2013
General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (Tamil Nadu)
In office
2007–2010
All India Co-Convenor of Bharatiya Janata Party Medical Wing (Southern States)
In office
2005–2007
General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party Medical Wing (Tamil Nadu)
In office
2001–2005
Personal details
Born (1961-06-02) 2 June 1961[2]
Kaliyikkavila, Kanyakumari, Madras State, India
(present-day Tamil Nadu)
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
SpouseP. Soundararajan
Children2
ParentKumari Ananthan (Father)
Residence(s)Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Alma materMadras Medical College (MBBS)
Profession
  • Physician
  • politician

Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan (born 2 June 1961) is an Indian politician serving as the 2nd and current Governor of Telangana, and is the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (Additional charge) since 18 February 2021. She was the National Secretary and Tamil Nadu State Unit President of the BJP prior to this appointment.[3][4]

Personal life and education

She was born in Kaliyakkavilai, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu on 2 June 1961.[5] Her father Kumari Ananthan,[6] is a former Member of Parliament and senior Indian National Congress leader in Tamil Nadu. Her husband, Mr. Soundararajan, is a medical doctor.[7] Her paternal cousin is actor and businessman turned politician Vijay Vasanth.

She graduated from Ethiraj College for Women, pursued her MBBS at Madras Medical College, Chennai[8] and her obstetrics and gynaecology qualifications at Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai. She was trained in sonology and FET therapy in Canada.

Prior to political commitment she worked as an assistant professor at Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai for 5 years.[8] She has two children, a boy and a girl, both are doctors.

As recognition of her dedicated service to the society and general public and promoting gender equality women empowerment, she was awarded “ International Rising Star of the Year – 2018” by multi ethnic advisory task force, USA operating under US Congressman Danny K. Davis.[9][10]

Political career

Soundararajan presenting books to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Soundararajan became interested in politics from childhood, having been brought up in a political family.[11] She was elected as a student leader during her studies at Madras Medical College. She served the Tamil Nadu state BJP unit in various capacities starting from South Chennai District Medical Wing Secretary in 1999, State General Secretary Medical Wing in 2001, All India Co-Convenor (Medical Wing For Southern States)[12] in 2005, State General Secretary in 2007, State Vice-President in 2010 and elevated as National Secretary, All India BJP in 2013.[13][14]

She was appointed the Governor of Telangana on 1 September 2019 by the order of the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind and currently is also 1st woman to hold the office of the state. She took charge as Governor of Telangana on 9 September 2019. She was given additional charge of Puducherry (union territory) on 16 February 2021 and is fifth woman to hold the office of the Union Territory.[15][16] During the Covid-19 pandemic she visited healthcare workers in hospitals and encouraged vaccination.

Soundararajan has lost in all her attempts at becoming an MP or MLA to date, having contested two Assembly elections and Parliament elections unsuccessfully. In the 2019 Indian general election, she lost against Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, daughter of former chief minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi from Thoothukkudi.[17][18] She extensively campaigned in parliament and assembly elections across the state.[19]

Media

She conducted a programme promoting the oratory skills for students and children, which was broadcast on the Tamil channel Raj TV for more than 10 years.[8] She conducted a weekly programme for women in Doordarshan Channel which was aired as Magalir Panchayat (Women's Court) for over 5 years. She participated in several political debates against other political leaders including Sun TV, NDTV, Times Now and various local channels.[8]

Elections contested

Lok Sabha Elections

Elections Constituency Party Result % Vote's Opposition

Candidate

 Opposition

Party

 %

Vote's

2009 Chennai North BJP Lost 3.54% T. K. S. Elangovan DMK 42.59%
2019 Thoothukkudi BJP Lost 21.77% Kanimozhi Karunanidhi DMK 56.77%

Tamilnadu Assembly Elections

Elections Constituency Party Result % Vote's Opposition

Candidate

 Opposition

Party

 %

Vote's

2006 Radhapuram BJP Lost 4.70% M. Appavu DMK 43.36%
2011 Velachery BJP Lost 4.63% M.K. Ashok AIADMK 53.91%
2016 Virugampakkam BJP Lost 11.19% Virugai V.N. Ravi AIADMK 38.51%

Electoral performance

2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election : Virugampakkam[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
AIADMK Virugai V. N. Ravi 65,979 38.51% New
DMK K. Thanasekaran 63,646 37.15% -2.72
BJP Tamilisai Soundararajan 19,167 11.19% +5.96
DMDK B. Parthasarathy 9,730 5.68% -43.97
PMK C. H. Jayarao 3,945 2.30% New
NOTA NOTA 3,897 2.27% New
NTK T. S. Rajendran 2,926 1.71% New
Margin of victory 2,333 1.36% -8.42%
Turnout 171,339 58.63% -8.41%
Registered electors 292,248
AIADMK gain from DMDK Swing -11.14%
2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election : Velachery[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
AIADMK M. K. Ashok 82,145 53.91% New
PMK M. Jayaraman 50,425 33.10% New
Independent E. Sarathbabu 7,472 4.90% New
BJP Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan 7,048 4.63% New
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party Senthil Kumar Arumugam 1,225 0.80% New
IJK K. N. Seshadri 1,036 0.68% New
Margin of victory 31,720 20.82%
Turnout 152,364 67.05%
Registered electors 227,249
AIADMK win (new seat)
2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election : Radhapuram[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DMK M. Appavu 49,249 43.36% +21.38
AIADMK L. Gnanapunitha 38,552 33.94% New
Independent K. P. K. Selvaraj 9,017 7.94% New
DMDK S. Sivanaintha Perumal 6,404 5.64% New
BJP Thamizhisai 5,343 4.70% New
AIFB A. Parvathi 1,059 0.93% New
Independent A. Selvaraj 1,051 0.93% New
Independent S. Thanam 994 0.88% New
Margin of victory 10,697 9.42% -9.18%
Turnout 113,584 65.42% 11.13%
Registered electors 173,633
DMK gain from Independent Swing -2.04%

Positions

Women's rights

Soundararajan is a supporter of the #metoo movement and has emphasized that any woman who had faced sexual harassment should get justice.[23]

Temple management

Soundararajan has asserted that temples must be managed by committees formed of devotees of the temple and consist of theists.[24]

Telangana Governor

Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan was sworn in as the first woman Governor of Telangana in the year 2019, replacing the post held by E.S.L. Narasimhan.[25] She's the second governor of the State of Telangana, which was formed on 2 June 2014.[26] She's the youngest among all state governors.[27] To explore the resources among alumni, an online portal called 'Chancellor Connect' was created.

As a Governor

Raj Bhavan under Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, in association with Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE), instituted 'Chancellor's Awards' for best teachers, best research, and best university in academic social responsibility.[28]

Dr. Tamilisai organized meetings in association with the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, to create a detailed action plan for formulating an appropriate nutrition intervention program for Telangana's tribal communities.[29][30]

In April 2023, the Telangana Government filed a writ petition in the supreme court against Soundararajan for failing to provide her assent for 10 bills nearly seven months after the state legislature had passed them.[31]

Lt. Governor of Puducherry

Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan was sworn in as Lt. Governor of Puducherry (additional charge ) on 18 February 2021.[32] Chief Justice of Madras High court Justice Sanjeeb Banerjee administered the oath of office and secrecy to her. Tamilisai took the oath in Tamil.[33]

References

  1. ↑ "Tamilisai on BPCL board". The Hindu. 16 September 2017 – via www.thehindu.com.
  2. ↑ Mani, C. D. S. (2 June 2016). "Tamilisai Soundararajan vows to take Modi govt schemes to all villages in TN". The Times of India.
  3. ↑ "Tamilisai Sounderrajan appointed BJP TNEB unit president". The Hindu. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  4. ↑ "New BJP chiefs for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Assam". The Economic Times/Times of India. PTI. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  5. ↑ "Telangana State Portal Governor". www.telangana.gov.in. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  6. ↑ "The Hindu News Update Service". The Hindu. 13 April 2009. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  7. ↑ "Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan: Age, Biography, Education, Husband, Caste, Net Worth & More - Oneindia". www.oneindia.com.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan". Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  9. ↑ Bodiwala, Suresh (31 October 2018). "Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force Hosted 8th Annual Congressional award function with Glittering of Chicago stars". Daily Herald. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  10. ↑ "Governor selected for global women of excellence award". The Hindu. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  11. ↑ Sudha (29 November 2013). "Tamilisai Soundararajan opens her mind | நான் டுமிழிசை செளந்தரராஜன் பேசுகிறேன் ! - Oneindia Tamil" (in Tamil). Tamil.oneindia.in. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  12. ↑ "Bharatiya Janata Party". Bjp.org. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  13. ↑ "Who is Tamilisai Soundararajan? All you need to know about Puducherry's new LG". Free Press Journal. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  14. ↑ "Jual Oram appointed as BJP's national Vice President, Dharmendra Pradhan as General Secretary". Orissadiary.com. 31 March 2013. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  15. ↑ "Tamilisai Soundararajan sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry". The Indian Express. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  16. ↑ "Kiran Bedi removed as Puducherry LG amid political crisis in Union territory". 16 February 2021.
  17. ↑ "Dr. Tamilisai Soundrarajan(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- VELACHERY(CHENNAI) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". Myneta.info. 14 June 2004. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  18. ↑ "News Today". www.maalaisudar.com. 7 May 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  19. ↑ "After 'chai', now a NaMo fish stall in Chennai". Mangaloretoday.com. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  20. ↑ "Assembly wise Candidate Valid Votes count 2016, Tamil Nadu" (PDF). www.elections.tn.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  21. ↑ Detailes Result 2011, Aseembly Election Tamil Nadu (PDF). Election Commission of Tamil Nadu (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  22. ↑ Election Commission of India. "2006 Election Statistical Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2006.
  23. ↑ "Tamilisai backs sexual abuse victims". The Hindu. 12 October 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
  24. ↑ Staff Reporter (13 February 2018). "Only the devout must manage temples: BJP". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  25. ↑ Rajeev, M. (1 September 2019). "Tamilisai Soundararajan is new Telangana Governor". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  26. ↑ PTI (10 September 2019). "Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan is the youngest governor". www.thehindubusinessline.com. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  27. ↑ "Tamilisai Soundararajan youngest governor Andhra's Harichandan oldest at 85". The Week. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  28. ↑ correspondent, dc (30 June 2021). "Telangana Governor announces Chancellor's Awards in academics". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  29. ↑ "Nutrition Intervention Survey for Tribal Communities Coming Soon: TS Guv". Deccan News.
  30. ↑ "We need to ensure good nutritional status of tribal people: Governor Tamilisai". ap7am.com. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  31. ↑ "'Raj Bhavan nearer than Delhi': Telangana Governor as state moves Supreme Court". India Today. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  32. ↑ "Tamilisai Soundararajan assumes office as Puducherry Lt governor". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  33. ↑ "Tamilisai Soundararajan sworn in as Puducherry Lt Governor". The News Minute. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
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