Puducherry: Lone Woman MLA Resigns as Minister Alleging Caste, Gender Discrimination

S Chandira Priyanga, Transport Minister in the Puducherry government and the lone woman MLA in the Assembly, resigned from her post, alleging "caste and gender" discrimination. 

The Union territory is currently ruled by the All India NR Congress-Bharatiya Janata Party Alliance.

Priyanga, who hails from the dalit community, sent her letter to Chief Minister N Rangasamy. It remains to be confirmed whether the resignation letter has been accepted. 

She was elected from Puducherry's Neduncadu reserved constituency in the Karaikal region. 

In her statement she posted on social media, Priyanga said, "Though I entered the Assembly through people's confidence, I realised that it is not so easy to overcome the politics of conspiracy. I could not continue my fight against money power. I didn't know that pride over my dalit identity was the problem for others. I felt I was being continuously subjected to caste and gender bias." 

Furthermore, she said that she would release a "list of her achievements as a minister in the past two years" to respond to the "mindless criticism" levied against her by her opponents. 

"I am indebted to the people who elected me as a legislator. But I resign my minister's post as I realise I cannot continuously fight against dominant forces. I apologise to my voters for resigning as a minister," she further said. 

In her statement, she requested the CM to appoint a person "belonging to vanniyar, dalit or minority communities" in her position.