For the first time in its 76-year-old history, the DMK recently appointed V. Maitreyan, a Brahmin, to an organisational post. The former Rajya Sabha Member joined the party in August after having been associated with the BJP and the AIADMK. This development in a party, which fought for the uplift of the backward classes and the oppressed and politically opposed “Brahmin hegemony”, has surprised many. In later years, its leaders argued the party was only against ‘Brahminism’ and not Brahmins. Mr. Maitreyan’s appointment as the vice-president of the party educators’ wing has turned the spotlight on an event that took place 54 years ago: the election of a Brahmin woman, Kamakshi Jayaraman, as the Mayor of the Madras Corporation on DMK ticket.
Kamakshi’s husband Jayaraman was a DMK member. He was elected councillor of Kothawalchavadi (Division 19). His death caused a by-election. On October 21, 1971, Kamakshi, who was fielded by the DMK, won from Kothawalchavadi, defeating P. R. Rangabashyam of the Congress (O). She polled 2,707 votes as opposed to Rangabashyam’s 2,310 votes.
