The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : `A great opportunity to serve people'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 23, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`A great opportunity to serve people'

By Our Staff Reporter

S.S. Palani Manickam

THANJAVUR, MAY 22. For S.S. Palani Manickam, Thanjavur MP, who was sworn-in Union Minister of State today, it was a long political journey to New Delhi. From an ordinary Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party worker to the level of a Union Minister.

Mr. Manickam's involvement in politics, particularly in party activities, began from his school days. According to Mr. Manickam, he was attracted to the party because of his uncle who was a strong DMK leader. He worked as a student for the victory of party president, M. Karunanidhi, when he contested from Thanjavur Assembly constituency in 1962. He took part in anti-Hindi agitation in 1965.

He and Rajamanickam, former MLA of Orathanadu Assembly constituency in the district were the only student leaders who stood by Mr. Karunanidhi when the former Chief Minister, M.G. Ramachandran, left the DMK. A student of M.A. from Pachaiyappa's college, Chennai, he studied law in the Madras Law College. He was in the agricultural and literary wings of the party. He is now a member of the party committee on rules and regulations.

Mr. Manickam tasted defeat in the Lok Sabha elections three times before starting his winning spree. In 1984 and 1989, he contested as DMK candidate from Thanjavur and lost twice to Singaravadivelu of the Congress. In 1991, he lost to Thulasiah Vandayar of the Congress. In 1996, he won for the first time defeating Mr. Thulasiah Vandayar. He continued his winning spree in 1998, 1999 and now in 2004. He was chairman of the parliamentary committee on Agriculture in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government. He was a follower of former Union Minister, Murasoli Maran.

"This is a great opportunity for me. I would do my best in serving the people as Minister," said Mr. Manickam

People of Thanjavur were happy that their MP had become a Minister.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu