Jayanthi. M
Independent Candidate
Arani constituency, at Serial no 148 in Part no 16
ARANI ConstituencyIndependent
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Age
52
Education
12th Pass
Needs Attention
Profession
Housewife
The affidavit declares 'Housewife', but web searches consistently identify this candidate as Jayanthi Natarajan, a prominent lawyer and former Union Cabinet Minister who contested from Arani as an independent in 2019. A career lawyer and politician declaring 'Housewife' as profession appears inconsistent with publicly known professional activities.
Movable Assets Breakdown
Cash
Self
₹20,000
Spouse
₹25,000
Total
Rs 45,000Deposits in Banks, Financial Institutions and Non-Banking Financial Companies
Self
₹1,214
SBI Of India (Election A/c SB₹1,000
Bharat SBI of India Kannamangalam SB A/c₹1,068
Central Cooperative Bank₹1,214
Spouse
—Total
Rs 3,282Bonds, Debentures and Shares in companies
Self
Immovable Assets Breakdown
Agricultural Land
Self
—Spouse
—Total
NilNon Agricultural Land
Self
—Spouse
—Total
NilCommercial Buildings
Self
—Spouse
—Total
NilResidential Buildings
Self
—Spouse
—Total
NilAI-generated content based on web sources. Verify independently before making decisions.
About the Candidate
AIJayanthi Natarajan (M), 52, is an Indian lawyer and seasoned politician contesting from Arani constituency as an independent candidate. She previously served as Union Cabinet Minister for Environment and Forests from July 2011 to December 2013 and represented Tamil Nadu in the Rajya Sabha for three terms as a member of the Indian National Congress. Her ministerial tenure was marked by both environmental advocacy and controversy—she resigned in December 2013 amid complaints from corporate houses about delays in environmental clearances, with reports indicating nearly 350 unsigned project files pending at her departure.
Her political career took a dramatic turn in January 2015 when she resigned from the Congress party, publicly criticizing Rahul Gandhi's leadership and alleging interference in her ministerial decisions. The BJP capitalized on allegations during the 2014 elections, with Narendra Modi coining the term 'Jayanthi Tax' to suggest she demanded bribes for environmental clearances. The CBI investigated a 2012 forest land diversion case against her but filed a closure report in December 2023, effectively clearing her of corruption charges in that matter.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Natarajan contested from Arani as an independent but received only 46,383 votes (4.08% vote share), losing decisively to M. K. Vishnu Prasad of the Congress. Her affidavit for the current election declares her profession as 'Housewife' with total assets of Rs. 2.68 lakhs (no immovable property), figures that appear modest given her documented career as a lawyer and former Union Minister.
Voters should know that while Natarajan brings significant legislative and ministerial experience, her track record includes both environmental policy expertise and controversies over administrative delays and party conflicts. Her minimal electoral performance in 2019 and current independent status suggest limited organizational support, though her legal background and national-level experience distinguish her from typical constituency candidates.