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{{short description|Member of Parliament (Karur Constituency)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Jothimani Sennimalai
|native_name =
| office = [[Member of Parliament|Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| term_start = 23 May 2019
| term_end =
| predecessor = [[M. Thambidurai]]
| constituency = [[Karur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Karur]]
| office1 = General Secretary of [[Indian Youth Congress]]
| term_start1 = 2009
| term_end1 = 2012
| office2 = Vice President of Tamil Nadu Youth Congress
| term_start2 = 2006
| term_end2 = 2008
| office3 = Member of Tamil Nadu Censor Board
| term_start3 = 2006
| term_end3 = 2009
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1975|08|09}}
| birth_place =Periya Thirumangalam, [[K.Paramathy block]]
| nationality =Indian
| residence =Periyathirumangalam, Koodalur West Village, [[Aravakurichi]], [[Karur District]], Tamil Nadu
| party =[[Indian National Congress]]
| occupation =Writer, political, and social worker
|website=
|image=Jothimani.jpg
}}

'''Jothimani Sennimalai''' ([[Tamil (language)|Tamil]]: ஜோதிமணி சென்னிமலை; 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.<ref name=":0" /> Her father Sennimalai was a farmer. She lost her father Sennimalai in her childhood. With the support of her mother Muthulakshmi, she completed her Graduation at Sri G.V.G Visalakshi College for Women, [[Udumalaipettai|Udumalaipet]]. During her college days, she was elected as Chair of College Students Union. She was an active participant in the [[National Service Scheme|NSS]] Camps in college and took part in social service activities.

Her academic degrees include: Master of Arts, [[Annamalai University]], 2003;<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://myneta.info/tamilnadu2011/candidate.php?candidate_id=185|title=Jothimani(Indian National Congress(INC)):Constituency- KARUR(KARUR) – Affidavit Information of Candidate|last=ADR|website=myneta.info|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref> and [[Master of Philosophy]], [[Annamalai University]], 2005.<ref name=":1" />

== Political career ==
===Early career===
Jothimani enter the field of politics at her age of 22. She was an active worker in [[Indian Youth Congress]] and a close associate of the [[Indian National Congress]] president [[Rahul Gandhi]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/jothimani-gets-congress-ticket-for-karur-lok-sabha-seat/article5833845.ece|title=Jothimani gets Congress ticket for Karur Lok Sabha seat|date=26 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref>

She was Member of Tamil Nadu [[Censor Board of India|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.electionnow.tv/tn/news/2011/apr/iim-grads-techies-set-contest-tamil-nadu-polls|title=IIM grads, techies set to contest Tamil Nadu polls|website=electionnow.tv|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref>

Jothimani then unsuccessfully contested the [[2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election]] after securing the Indian National Congress' candidature from [[Karur (state assembly constituency)|Karur constituency]].

=== Tamil Nadu state assembly election, 2016 ===
In July, 2015, Jothimani launched her election campaign from [[Aravakurichi (State Assembly Constituency)|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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/jothimanis-campaign-kicks-up-row-in-karur/article8344116.ece|title=Jothimani's campaign kicks up row in Karur|date=12 March 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref>

Between the time the DMK and Congress declared that the national party – Congress would contest from 41 seats and the announcement about which the seats were, there was a rather extended period of silence, filled with suspense. When Aravakurichi did not figure on the Congress list, Jothimani unleashed a volley of strong criticisms and even threatened to contest as an independent candidate. But the alliance leader put its foot down, refusing to concede. For one, this is one of the rare seats that the DMK bagged 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 in many ways.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/assembly-elections-2016/tamil-nadu-polls/Why-Jothimani-Did-Not-Stand-a-Chance-Against-KCP/2016/04/15/article3381111.ece|title=Why Jothimani Did Not Stand a Chance Against KCP|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/jothimani-agreed-not-to-contest/article8487845.ece|title=Jothimani agreed not to contest|date=18 April 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref> The Election was about to be held on 16 May 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.india.com/assembly-election-2016/tamil-nadu/aravakurichi/|title=Aravakurichi Assembly Election 2016 Latest News & Results|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref> Then the election commission postponed it to 23 May 2016 and again postpone the polling along with Thanjavur Assembly constituencies to 13 June 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/elections/tamilnadu2016/polls-in-aravakurichi-thanjavur-further-postponed/article8625827.ece|title=Polls in Aravakurichi, Thanjavur further postponed to June 13|date=20 May 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref> Finally Election Commission cancelled polls to Aravakurichi and Thanjavur Assembly seats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Election-Commission-cancels-polls-to-Aravakurichi-and-Thanjavur-Assembly-seats/2016/05/29/article3455960.ece|title=Election Commission cancels polls to Aravakurichi and Thanjavur Assembly seats|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref>

=== 2019 Election to the Parliament ===

Jothimani attained the Indian National Congress' candidature for the [[Indian general election, 2019]] from [[Karur (Lok Sabha constituency)|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.

== Activism ==

=== Controversy with BJP Karu Nagarajan ===
During a live interview in a private television about the spread of [[COVID-19 in India]] on May 18, 2020, a [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] spokesperson Karu Nagarajan made [[Sexist language|sexist remarks]] against Jothimani when she criticized the Bhartiya Janata party in mishandling the [[Indian migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic|Immigrant crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic in India]]. Jothimani quit the show on live television claiming that the BJP spokesperson made personal remarks after he was unable to answer her questions. The video went viral and Jothimani received huge support from people.<ref>{{Cite web|title='இத்தாலிச் சோனியா இந்தியர் மோடியை…'- கரு.நாகராஜனுக்கு ஆதரவாக எச்.ராஜா வாதம்|url=https://www.ndtv.com/tamil/h-raja-supports-karu-nagarajan-over-jothimani-row-2231288|website=NDTV.com|language=ta|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> The hashtag {{Code|code=#I_standwith_Jothimani}} trended on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-05-19|title="நாகரிக அரசியலை பாஜகவினர் கற்றுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்" - சர்ச்சை பேச்சுக்கு எழும் கண்டனங்கள்|language=ta|work=BBC News தமிழ்|url=https://www.bbc.com/tamil/india-52719036|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ஜோதிமணி எம்.பி.யை தரக்குறைவாக விமர்சித்து சர்ச்சையில் சிக்கிய கரு.நாகராஜன்: வலுக்கும் கண்டனங்கள்|url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/tamilnadu/555149-jothimani-vs-karu-nagarajan.html|website=Hindu Tamil Thisai|language=en|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref>

==Elections ==

{|class="sortable wikitable"
|-
!width=150|Elections
!width=100|Constituency
!width=70|Party
!width=70|Result
!width=70|Vote percentage
!width=100|Opposition Candidate
!width=70|Opposition Party
!width=70|Opposition vote percentage
|- style="background:#ffc;"
|[[2011 Tamil Nadu state assembly election]]||[[Karur (State Assembly Constituency)|Karur]]||[[Indian National Congress|INC]] ||Lost|| 34.10|||[[V. Senthil Balaji]]||[[AIADMK]]||61.18<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/AE2011/stat_TN_May2011.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 August 2016 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020743/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/AE2011/stat_TN_May2011.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|- style="background:#gfc;"
|[[2014 Indian general election]]||[[Karur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Karur]]||[[Indian National Congress|INC]] ||Lost|| 2.91||[[M. Thambidurai]]||[[AIADMK]]||51.64<ref name="eci.nic.in">{{Cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2014/33%20-%20Constituency%20wise%20detailed%20result.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 August 2016 |archive-date=23 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123041546/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2014/33%20-%20Constituency%20wise%20detailed%20result.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
|[[2019 Indian general election]]||[[Karur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Karur]]||[[Indian National Congress|INC]] ||Won|| 63.06||[[M. Thambidurai]]||[[AIADMK]]||24.94<ref name="eci.nic.in"/>

|}

== Positions held ==

=== State level<ref name=":0" /> ===
* Councillor of K.Paramathi panchayat union for two terms from 1996 to 2006.<ref name=":2" />
* District General Secretary of [[Karur district]] Congress from 1997 to 2004.
* Council Member of [[Tamil Nadu Congress Committee|Tamil Nadu Congress Commeitte]] from 1998 to 2000.
* Vice President, Tamil Nadu Youth Congress from 2006 to 2008.
* Member, Tamil Nadu Censor Board from 2006 to 2009.

=== National level<ref name=":0" /> ===
* [[Indian Youth Congress]] National Coordinator- [[Kerala]] – 2008 (Appointed through State level talent search by Young Congress MPs).
* [[Indian Youth Congress]] general secretary – 2009 to 2012 (Appointed by [[Rahul Gandhi]], through National level talent search).
* State Returning Officer, Youth Congress Election – Kerala (Additional sharge).
* Media panelist on State issues in [[Indian National Congress]].
* 2019–present (23 May 2019) Member [[17th Lok Sabha]] - [[Karur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Karur constituency]]

== Books ==
* ''Ottrai Vasanai'' – Short story collection<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://karurjothimani.blogspot.in/2011/04/jothimani-biodata-english.html|title=Karur Jothimani: Jothimani Biodata English|website=karurjothimani.blogspot.in|date=6 April 2011|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref>
* ''Sithirak Koodu'' – Novel<ref name=":0" />
* ''Neer Pirakku Munn'' (Translated into English as ''No shortcut to Leadership'')<ref name=":0" />

== Awards ==
* Ilakkiya Chinthanai Award for Best short story, 1999<ref name=":0" />
* Shakthi Award for Best short story collection, 2007<ref name=":0" />

== See also ==
* [[P. Chidambaram|P Chidambaram]]
* [[Indian Youth Congress]]
* [[Rahul Gandhi]]
* [[E. V. K. S. Elangovan|E V K S Elangovan]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.facebook.com/jothiiyc Jothimani Facebook]
* [https://twitter.com/jothims Jothimani Twitter]

{{17th LS members from Tamil Nadu}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian Tamil people]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Women in Tamil Nadu politics]]
[[Category:17th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Tamil writers]]
[[Category:Indian Youth Congress]]
[[Category:Indian women activists]]
[[Category:People from Karur district]]
[[Category:Annamalai University alumni]]
[[Category:Indian women short story writers]]
[[Category:Indian women novelists]]
[[Category:Novelists from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian short story writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women writers]]
[[Category:Women writers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]

Jothimani - Revision history

UpdateBot at 02:20, 17 February 2022