Chandira Priyanga, lone woman minister in Puducherry cabinet, resigns alleging caste and gender discriminations

PUDUCHERRY: S Chandira Priyanga, a lone woman minister in the All India NR Congress (AINRC)-BJP coalition government in the Union territory of Puducherry, has resigned from the post alleging caste and gender-related discriminations, political conspiracy and money power unleashed against her in the male-dominated political field.

Priyanga is handling portfolios of transport and art and culture among others in the AINRC-BJP cabinet. Priyanga, a dalit, is the only woman elected to the 30-member legislative assembly.

She sent her resignation letter to the chief minister’s office and Raj Nivas through her personal assistant. However, neither the chief minister nor the Lt governor has so far announced accepting her resignation.

In a post on X, Priyanga announced her decision to resign and explained the reasons for her sudden decision.

Priyanga, who was elected on the AINRC ticket from Nedungadu constituency in Karaikal, stated that she realized that it was not easy to face and survive political conspiracies and money power unleased against her in the male-chauvinistic political field.

Priyanga said she was proud of being a woman and a dalit but added that she did not realise that her caste and gender became an irritation to the eyes of others. Priyanga said she realised that she had started facing caste and gender-related abuses within a matter of time.

She said it was uncivilized for the male chauvinistic gangs to take up personal issues and conspire against her. "I have been targeted continuously. It is not possible for me to face it beyond certain limits," she said without furnishing any details about the caste and gender-related harassments she faced.

She said that she would list her achievements during her tenure as a minister to silence her critics.

She said she was indebted to the people who had elected her but realized that it was impossible to continue as a minister by fighting against the dominant forces and hence decided to resign.

She said she tendered her open-hearted apology for her decision and added that she would continue to strive hard as an MLA and serve the people.

She thanked AINRC founder leader and chief minister N Rangasamy for giving her an opportunity to serve as a minister. She made a request to fill the vacant ministerial berth with a representative from either the vanniyar or the dalit or the minority community. She said representatives with money power or influence should not succeed her as it would be an injustice to the vanniyar or dalit or minority communities.

She requested the chief minister to ensure that all development and welfare schemes of the government reached all sections of the people in her constituency.


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