DMK fields young doctor in Avinashi reserved constituency

COIMBATORE: DMK is fielding Dr V Gokilamani as its candidate in the Avinashi (reserved) constituency for the upcoming assembly elections.The 28-year-old doctor is currently serving at a primary health centre. Gokilamani, who hails from Thirumalaigoundanpalayam in the Avinashi taluk of Tirupur district, completed her MBBS and had worked in a private hospital for three years before joining the govt service. She belongs to the Arunthathiyar community (scheduled caste), which holds significant demographic weight in this reserved constituency. The selection of Dr Gokilamani is being viewed through a lens of social repair and progress. Her native village, Thirumalaigoundanpalayam, gained statewide notoriety in 2018 following an incident of untouchability. Several parents and locals from dominant communities boycotted the noon meal programme at a govt high school because the cook, Paapal, belonged to a scheduled caste.