On a searing hot Saturday (April 11, 2026) noon, drumbeats wake up the neighbourhood of Ayanavaram as S. Roshini, the Villivakkam candidate of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) and the party’s transgender face in the fray, takes her campaign trail through its narrow streets. Waving at residents, seeking their support, microphone in hand, she reminds them of the party symbol and lists the reasons they should vote for her.

Though a fresh face in this Assembly election, Ms. Roshini is not new to public life, as she helps people of various sections of the society through her Roshini Charitable Trust. Addressing voters in residential hubs off Konnur High Road, Ayanavaram, she urged them to seek free clean water, free education and health care facilities from political parties rather than freebies.

Speaking about her party’s move towards inclusive representation and the vision for the constituency, she said, “I don’t see myself as just a transperson candidate. Seeman Annan [NTK’s chief coordinator] has given me this opportunity with an inclusive outlook. He has given an equal opportunity to women in the party and even more progressively have allotted a seat to a transperson. I consider all the criticism coming my way as stepping stones in life.”

Explaining why she chose the NTK, she said the party’s ideals aligned with her own. “Unlike other political parties bent on exploiting people and natural resources, the NTK stands for protection of natural resources. Politics, to me, must work for all living beings,” she said.

Criticising both the Dravidian majors, she said the two Dravidian parties have neglected issues for several decades. “This election is between Dravidian politics and Tamil nationalism. People tell me their grievances and I present our promises during the campaign,” said Ms. Roshini. “I speak about what people truly need to live with dignity. There are essentials that cannot be bought like clean drinking water,” she said as she assured voters of free clean drinking water, if elected to power. Asked about her first priority if elected, she said it would be measures against drug abuse among youngsters and ensuring women’s welfare.

16 basic demands

Ms. Roshini, who has chalked out a plan under ‘Vinnaithodum Villivakkam’ to make the area a model constituency, said the party has outlined 16 basic demands. “One of our immediate priorities is ‘Irul Illa Villivakkam’ (Villivakkam without darkness). Several streets still don’t have proper streetlights. If we come to power, we will install world-class streetlights. We also plan to provide solar panels to every household to help families cope with soaring power bills,” she said.

Besides tuition centres to develop students’ skills, there are plans to create playgrounds and fine arts centres to revive vanishing art forms. “We want to ensure jobs for all. Our aim is to empower women with livelihood support,” said Ms. Roshini.

Noting that the NTK’s approach towards transgender community is rooted in equality, she said, “Seeman Annan did not introduce me as a transperson candidate. Gender is part of identity. If the NTK comes to power, transpersons will not be treated as a separate category. We will ensure respect and same rights as women.”