FROM THE WEEK ARCHIVES: Former 'Lehman' Thiagarajan bets on legacy with his credentials

Thiagarajan, a new face in the DMK, is not a political novice

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ITDC NEWS The sprawling ancient bungalow near the most popular Vadamalaiyan hospital in Madurai has once again started drawing tens and hundreds of visitors, including politicians and bureaucrats, each day—almost after a decade. Trees stand tall and the chirping of the birds adds vigour to the slothful atmosphere. Standing in small groups, at least two dozen men are seen talking to one another with their hands folded at the back. The group immediately moves forward to the king-size living room as a fair-skinned short stout young man with a tilak on his forehead walks out with folded hands, greeting the visitors saying “vanakkam”. He lends his ears to hear from them about the next campaign spot. “Ask the ward secretary about the exact area. Let there not be any confusion,” he tells them in Tamil peppered with American accent English words.

PTRP Thiagarajan, a former Lehman banker, is a new face in the DMK, but not a political novice. Electoral politics comes easy for him unlike any other first-time contestant in the fray. Son of PTR Palanivelrajan, a towering leader in the DMK and a known believer in a party of rationalists and atheists, Thiagarajan is a straight forward politician. Contesting from Madurai central constituency—just a few kilometers from the Thirumangalam constituency, which is popularly known for the cash for votes formula— Thiagarajan has, however, vowed not to bribe the voters.