RAMANATHAPURAM: A Dalit woman has made it to the vice-president post in Sakkarakottai panchayat in the district, thanks to the magnanimity of the panchayat president Noor Mohamed, who recommended her name instead of his own daughter, who was originally chosen for the post.The local body election has brought a major change in the district, with the AIADMK making a clean sweep in the poll that was conducted on October 17 and 19.The Sakkarakottai panchayat comprises 15 wards, with a population of more than 10,000.Fifteen ward members were elected from the villages, while Noor Mohamed was elected as president of the panchayat. The 15 members, including four Dalits, were to select the vice-president. Meharaj Banu, the daughter of Noor Mohamed, was also elected from ward 14. However, Noor Mohamed recommended the name Ponnuthai of Gandhi Nagar-Vani, of the Arunthathiyar community, who was elected from Ward 15. Following this, Ponnuthai was elected unopposed as vice-president of the panchayat. She was backed by the other 14 ward members, including caste Hindus.It is said, MGR Nagar, Mela Sothu Oorani, Gandhi Nagar and Mullai Nagar are devoid of basic facilities for many years now and the new members and president now have a major task before them. Ponnuthai (35), a spinster, had already served as councillor in the panchayat. She alleged that she could not carry out any remarkable work due to a local dispute in the panchayat office.Sivaraman, the ward 9 member, felt that Ponnuthai would work hard to promote the panchayat.It may be recalled that the result for the Sakkarakottai panchayat president election was declared late in the night due to some problem in counting of postal votes. Ponnuthai said that she was eager to carry out various development works in the panchayat, including street lights, water connection and road facilities. Noor Mohamed told Express that AIADMK party general secretary and CM J Jayalalithaa treats all section of people equally.
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