TVK MLA-elect from the Sivakasi constituency, S. Keerthana, has been making headlines after the 29-year-old became the first woman MLA to achieve victory in the constituency, putting an end to nearly seven decades of male-only representation. After winning the election, S. Keerthana has been drawing attention for speaking in Hindi, saying she chose the language so that more people can understand and connect with her leader’s message. Her gesture comes at a time when Hindi has faced strong political resistance in Tamil Nadu over the past several years.

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Who is S Keerthana?

Keerthana Sampath is a newly elected Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA from the Sivakasi constituency, known as "Fireworks Capital of India". She is a former political consultant with postgraduate qualifications. She has previously worked with several prominent leaders, including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

An admirer of TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay, S Keerthana is multilingual and studied in a Tamil-medium government school before learning additional languages over time. She also holds the distinction of becoming the first woman MLA from Sivakasi, ending nearly seven decades of male dominance in the constituency.

While Hindi has remained a politically sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu, Keerthana has stated that she sees the language as important for wider national communication and recognition. Her fluency in Hindi and multilingual background have added to the attention surrounding her emergence as a young leader within TVK.

S Keerthana to take oath today

S Keerthana is among the nine MLAs who will be taking oath today at Thalapathy Vijay's swearing-in ceremony. Speaking to reporters, Keerthana said, "Today is a big day for Tamil Nadu and the public of the state... This is the moment everybody has been waiting for."

From health checkups to MoUs

During her campaign, S. Keerthana focused on key developmental issues in Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district, especially concerns related to safety and healthcare infrastructure. She highlighted that, despite being a high-risk industrial hub, the constituency has only one fire service station, raising serious questions about emergency preparedness.

She also drew attention to gaps in the public healthcare system, pointing out the absence of specialised medical facilities in government hospitals. As part of her election promises, Keerthana assured comprehensive welfare measures for firecracker industry workers, including insurance coverage, equal pay for women, regular health check-ups, and better access to treatment for those exposed to hazardous chemicals.

For industrial stakeholders, she proposed a one-month fully funded global exposure programme for unit owners. She also committed to facilitating MoUs between local colleges and industries, along with international internship opportunities for students to gain practical expertise.

After her victory, Keerthana reiterated to reporters that she remains committed to delivering on all the promises made during her campaign.