Research scholar in Vellore

VELLORE: AIADMK on Friday announced that A Karthiyayini, a Biotechnology research scholar in VIT University, would be the party’s Mayor candidate for Vellore.“I was surprised and happy when I heard the news that the party high command has selected me as the Vellore mayor candidate,” said a jubilant Karthiyayini (29), wife of physiotherapist Anushmukar (33), who is the district joint secretary of AIADMK’s Medical Wing.A native of Tiruvannamalai, she hails from a family of AIADMK loyalists. A soft-spoken woman, Karhiyayini joined active politics four years back.According to her, her father N Pandurangan, was an active member of the party while her grandfather Narayanan was a core member of the party. “I have grown up admiring ‘Amma,” she says.After graduating in Microbiology from Kamban Arts and Science College in Tiruvannamalai, she went on to do her MSc in Biomedical Instrumentation from Loyola College in Chennai. She has participated in social service activities.