JOIN USVeena S was billed as the first transgender in South India to contest an election when she faced the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls in 2010. But 36-year-old will not be contesting the civic polls this time. She attributes her decision to lack of funds and change in reservation for her ward.
Veena, a social worker, contested from the Okalipuram ward (196) in 2010 elections and got 871 votes.
Though she did not win, Veena said that she got support from public. She added: "I contested from the ward reserved for Dalit woman from Praja Rajakiya Vedike as an Independent candidate. However, this time reservation has changed. Also, campaigning needs huge money which I cannot mobilise.”
Presently working for Sangama, a sexuality minorities' rights organisation, Veena said that more reservation had be provided for transgenders in the elections.