Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 | Meet Roshini, Tamil Nadu’s only transgender woman candidate

Chennai: 28-year-old S Roshini has been running an NGO for the past three years working with people in tribal areas of Tamil Nadu and helping youngsters with their studies. This April 23 election, Roshini is the only transgender woman candidate in the fray fielded by a political party – she is the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) nominee from the prestigious Villivakkam constituency here.

Roshini is pitted against heavyweights – DMK’s Karthik Mohan, TVK’s Aadhav Arjuna, son-in-law of lottery baron Santiago Martin – and AIADMK’s S R Vijayakumar, a former MP. Villivakkam was the largest assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu before the redrawing of seats in 2009.

For Roshini, people-centric politics is important and she says that is why she chose to join NTK, the only political party in the state that vociferously talks about climate change and the effects of global warming.

“I joined NTK because the party puts people above everything; and I have always been proud of being a Tamil and that brought me closer to Seeman,” she told DH in an interview.

Asked about her chances in an intense contest where people with huge financial and human resources are challenging her, Roshini said she doesn’t see anyone as a real threat because only the NTK is fighting for its ideology.

“Public life is not new to me, and I am not in politics for money. We are taking our ideology of self-governance to the people. We want to safeguard Tamil Nadu and we will keep doing that,” she said.

On how people were receiving a transgender woman candidate, Roshini said there was no bias or discrimination as people have accepted members of the community as their own. Transgender women are progressing in many fields and people are generally receptive to them.

“People tell me I am one of their own. We are also human beings, just like them. They say transgender women can understand the problems of both men and women. I am being welcomed with love and affection,” she said.

Talking about Roshini Charitable Trust, she transgender woman said her organisation has been working for the upliftment of tribal communities in Kodaikanal, Dindigul, and Tiruchirapalli by adopting villages and equipping them with basic infrastructure.

Asked whether her candidacy will open doors for many other transgender women to take a plunge into politics, Roshini replied in the affirmative.

“Yes, If I get a chance, a lot of people like me will get opportunities. If I win, the focus will be on all the people, but I will definitely work for the transgender community. I believe that transgender women are now present in every field, but they have not yet received proper recognition in politics,” she said.

“Heard you are a fan of actor and TVK chief Vijay?” The answer was yes but cinema is different from politics.

“In films, you can like a hero because of his acting, his dance, his style. You can say, “I like Vijay.” But when it comes to politics and people’s service, you have to choose a leader based on who speaks for the people. Leaders should be bold and accessible. As for Vijay’s politics, I feel he still has a lot to learn,” she added.