A. Ramachandran

Arumugam Ramachandran is an Indian politician and the incumbent Mayor of Salem. A member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) since 1961, he has served in a number of posts in the DMK's Salem unit.

Early life Ramachandran was born to Arumugam of Gorimedu, Salem in 1944. He studied up to SSLC.

Politics

Early years and recognition In 1961, Ramachandran joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), then headed by C.N. Annadurai. He participated in many protests held by DMK and went to prison numerous times. Later, he became close with senior DMK leaders such as Arcot N. Veeraswami, K. Sundaram, Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, and C. Chittibabu.

Posts held in the party After his return to Salem, Ramachandran resumed his partywork as member of the DMK's branch executive committee and branch secretary.

After the death of Veerapandy S. Arumugam in 2012, his successor R. Rajendran (secretary of Salem Central District DMK), appointed Ramachandran as Hastampatti area secretary. Additionally, he became the secretary of the Parent teacher association at Kamarajar Girls Higher Secondary School, Manakkadu. Consequently, Ramachandran took oath as councillor on 2 March. The next day, the DMK's leadership declared him as its mayoral candidate for indirect election to the post. As no other candidate from the elected councillors filed their nomination for Mayorship, Ramachandran was elected unopposed to the post. He was sworn in as the sixth Mayor of Salem on 4 March, along with M. Saradha Devi (INC councillor from Ward 7) as his deputy.

Personal life Ramachandran is married to Meenatchi. The couple has a son named Sudarsan Babu and a daughter named Sumithra.

Sudarsan Babu is a regional manager in Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation. Sumithra is a teacher at Government Higher Secondary School, Kannankurichi.