Chennai gets its first Dalit woman mayor

Chennai, March 4 (IANS) R. Priya, the DMK candidate for the post of Chennai mayor, was elected unopposed on Friday.

Twenty-eight-year-old Priya is a post graduate in Commerce and a first-time councillor. She is the first Dalit mayor of the Chennai Corporation and the third woman to do so.

Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Gagan Singh Bedi administered the oath of office to Priya, who is the 49th mayor of Chennai.

She was given the ceremonial robe and mace by the state health minister Ma Subramanian and HR&CE minister Sekar Babu.

Priya thanked Chief Minister M.K.Stalin, Health minister Ma Subramanian, HR&CE Minister, P.K. Sekar Babu, and the people of Chennai on her assuming the new office.

The next council meeting will be held after consultations with the mayor and the Commissioner, the corporation officials said.

Council meetings will be held every month to discuss civic issues and pass resolutions in the 15 zones of the city.

–IANS

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