An Apsara In Politics

Even in her original avatar as a man, Apsara Reddy never fought shy of her sexual identity. As Ajay Reddy and the features editor of a Chennai-based English daily she would use the women바카라�s washroom. 바카라�She had no compunction in disclosing that she was a woman trapped in a man바카라�s body and was yearning to break free. And she informed everyone openly before going to Bangkok for her sex change operation,바카라� recalls a colleague. On returning as Apsara Reddy, she switched to politics and joined the Tam­il Nadu BJP before migrating to the AIADMK. The Congress though gave her the much-needed political recognition when Rahul Gandhi appoi­nted her as the all-India general secretary of the Mahila Congress바카라�the first time a transgender has held a national position of a major political party.

Apsara, 35, however, refuses to agree that Rahul바카라�s gesture was merely symbolic and aimed at giving the space for transgenders in his party. 바카라�I think he rewarded me more for my capabilities and his quest for women empowerment. There is no tokenism here,바카라� she says. It also had a lot to do with the inclusive nature of the Congress, she adds. But Apsara바카라�s first real break as a politician came in the AIADMK when former chief minister Jaya­lalitha admitted her in the party during a public meeting in October 2015. 바카라�Though her minions had given me strict instructions on how to stay two feet away from her, cover my mouth while talking to her and also touch her feet, I did not follow any of them. We actually had a casual chat and Amma welcomed me warmly and she was very unlike the distant, stern leader that she had been portrayed as,바카라� Apsara says.

She addressed public meetings, campaigning for the AIADMK for the 2016 assembly elections and surprised the leaders with her speeches in fluent Tamil. After Jayalalitha바카라�s death she was briefly with the Sasikala faction, appearing on TV channels in support of Chinnamma, jailed in February 2017. 바카라�I was beholden to Sasikala since it was through her I met Jayalalitha and joined the AIADMK. Even when I campaigned in RK Nagar byelection in December, 2017 I campaigned only by uttering her name. When EPS also turned against Sasikala and TTV was keen only to promote himself, I kept away from the AIADMK or any of its factions,바카라� Apsara explains.

But does celebrities parachuting into party posts without doing any grassroots work cause heartburn to other workers? 바카라�Barring a few insecure functionaries, the majority have welcomed me warmly. I would rather take their positivity,바카라� she says. Even S. Jothimani, a former state youth Congress president, finds nothing wrong in such lateral entry of well-known personalities. 바카라�The party benefits by their experience and talent whatever field they are from. And Apsara has been an active journalist and has written on women iss­ues,바카라� Jothimani says.

Khushboo, who too was suddenly appo­inted as the spokesperson shortly after joining the Congress, welcomed Apsara바카라�s entry. 바카라�She is intelligent and fierce and the Congress needs such persons in Tamil Nadu,바카라� she says. But Apsara바카라�s identity as a 바카라�lifestyle and page-three바카라� journalist could hamper her connect with grassroots workers of the party. 바카라�It is one thing to party in five-star hotels but to rub shoulders with the hoi polloi calls for a different mindset,바카라� says a former colleague of hers.  

Senior Congress functionary, Karate R. Thiagarajan, is not very pleased at the sudden incursions of such celebrities with little political background. 바카라�They do not even adhere to the basic rules of the party and insult senior functionaries. Khushboo made such a fuss when asked to renew her membership. She stated she was answerable only to Rahul Gandhi. Similarly, Apsara even now is openly prai­sing Sasikala and denigrating Rajni­kanth. Does she even know the reach of Rajnikanth?바카라� he questions.

A confident Apsara is ready for the challenge, though. 바카라�Those who question my commitment would praise me one day. I바카라�ve battled my entire life against the perceptions against transgenders. This is one more perception battle that I will overcome,바카라� she adds.

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• Apsara Reddy says her apointment as a Mahila Congress general secretary is not symbolic

• 바카라�I바카라�ve battled against perceptions against transgenders. This is one more perception battle (in politics).바카라�

By G.C. Shekhar in Chennai