Jothimani

Jothimani Sennimalai (born 9 August 1975), also known mononymously as Jothimani, is an Indian politician, writer, and social worker. A member of the Indian National Congress, she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Karur, Tamil Nadu in 2019. Having joined politics at a young age, Jothimani served separate terms as the General Secretary and Vice President of Indian Youth Congress and Tamil Nadu Youth Congress respectively.

Early life and education Jothimani was born on 9 August 1975 at Periya Thirumangalam, Aravakurichi, Karur District to Sennimalai and Muthulakshmi. and Master of Philosophy, Annamalai University, 2005.

She was Member of Tamil Nadu Censor Board during 2006 to 2009.

She has represented the Indian Youth Congress at international forums like American Council for Young Political Leaders that was held in the US in 2006 and Asian Young Leader's Summit 2009 in Malaysia. She was also selected for Vital-Voice of Asia Asian Women Leaders Meet held in New Delhi in 2010.

Jothimani then unsuccessfully contested the 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election after securing the Indian National Congress' candidature from Karur constituency.

Tamil Nadu state assembly election, 2016 In July, 2015, Jothimani launched her election campaign from Aravakurichi constituency for 2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. She has intensified the campaign on the ground and through social media as well. She has been meeting various sections of the people in the constituency and called upon them to give a "missed call" if they supported her candidature. Calendars and pamphlets explaining the initiative have been distributed across the constituency. Her Facebook and Twitter account with the hashtag, 'Aravakurichi 2016,' are replete with postings and pictures of her interaction with voters of the constituency. She has also formed youth groups to reach out to the voters.

When Aravakurichi did not figure on the Congress list, Jothimani stated several criticisms and to contest as an independent candidate. But the alliance leader did not concede. This is one of the few seats that the DMK won in the last Assembly election. More importantly, the sitting MLA, the one who is seeking re-election this time, is K C Palanisamy, an important leader in the party affairs.

After a meeting with her supporters, she said that she has decided not to contest in the Aravakurichi constituency in the overall interest of the Congress party. The Election was about to be held on 16 May 2016. Then the election commission postponed it to 23 May 2016 and again postpone the polling along with Thanjavur Assembly constituencies to 13 June 2016. Finally Election Commission cancelled polls to Aravakurichi and Thanjavur Assembly seats.

2019 Election to the Parliament

Jothimani attained the Indian National Congress' candidature for the Indian general election, 2019 from Karur constituency of the Lok Sabha. In what was seen as a major upset by many media outlets and political analyst, Jothimani went on to defeat veteran All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader, M. Thambidurai who had previously served as Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha Speaker and in the Union Cabinet.

2024 Election to the Parliament She was re-elected from Karur Lok Sabha constituency however her vote share and margin of winning both decreased subsequently from 2019.

She became very active in the protest against Government of India during Lok Sabha proceedings. During the 2026 Budget Session of the Lok Sabha, Jothimani was the key protestors among the female Opposition members like Varsha Gaikwad, Pratibha Dhanorkar, R. Sudha, etc who protested during proceedings in the House, in which members entered the vale displaying placards and surrounded the Prime Minister’s seat, leading to an adjournment of proceedings.

Elections Lok Sabha elections

Tamil Nadu Legislative elections

Positions held

State level Councillor of K.Paramathi panchayat union for two terms from 1996 to 2006. Sithirak Koodu – Novel Neer Pirakku Munn (Translated into English as No shortcut to Leadership)

Awards Ilakkiya Chinthanai Award for Best short story, 1999 Shakthi Award for Best short story collection, 2007