Hyderabad, March 18, 2024 – In a surprise move, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan tendered her resignation from her gubernatorial roles, signaling a potential entry into the political battleground. The seasoned politician, who also serves as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, is speculated to be eyeing a candidature under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) banner.
Soundararajan’s resignation, submitted to President Draupadi Murumu, arrives just ahead of the impending Lok Sabha nominations in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Her decision has sent ripples across political circles, particularly in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Telangana, where he stayed at the Raj Bhavan during his campaign.
A stalwart within the BJP, Soundararajan has weathered political storms in Tamil Nadu, steering the party through challenging times when electoral alliances seemed elusive. With her sights set on the upcoming parliamentary elections, she is speculated to contest from either Chennai (South) or Tirunelveli constituencies.
Having previously contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Thoothukudi, where she faced defeat against DMK’s Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Soundararajan’s political journey has been marked by resilience and determination. Her appointment as Governor of Telangana in 2019, followed by the additional charge of Puducherry’s Lieutenant Governor in 2021, underscored her administrative acumen and political clout.
Soundararajan’s political lineage adds depth to her narrative, being the daughter of veteran Congressman Kumari Ananthan. Despite familial ties, she embraced the BJP in the 1990s, embarking on a political trajectory that saw her ascend to leadership roles within the party.
Notably, Soundararajan’s transition from a gubernatorial position to electoral politics echoes past precedents, reminiscent of Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan’s resignation in 2019 to contest against Congress’ Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram, albeit unsuccessfully.
As Tamil Nadu braces for electoral fervor, Soundararajan’s resignation heralds a new chapter in her political odyssey, one that could significantly influence the state’s political landscape and the BJP’s electoral prospects.
