P. Geetha Jeevan

P. Geetha Jeevan (born 6 May 1970) is the current MLA of Thoothukudi constituency in the 15th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. She was previously the minister of social welfare in Tamil Nadu during the 2006-11 DMK Government and prior to holding that office had been in charge of the Ministry of Animal Husbandry.

Early life

Geetha Jeevan was born in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India, on 6 May 1970 and is the daughter of N. Periasamy, himself a former Thoothukudi constituency MLA. She holds a master's degree in commerce awarded by A.P.C. Mahalakshmi College for Women, Thoothukudi, having previously attended Geetha Matriculation Higher Secondary School in the city.

Geetha married Jeevan Jacob Rajendran on 7 September 1990. The couple have a son and a daughter.

Political career

Geetha Jeevan was a member and chairperson of Thoothukudi district panchayat between 1996–2006. She defeated Danielraj from AIADMK with about 15000 votes in Thoothukudi constituency to become member of the assembly. The Social Welfare ministry portfolio was given to her when Poongothai Aladi Aruna was implicated in a telephone controversy.

In the 2011 Tamil Nadu state elections, Geetha Jeevan was defeated by S. T. Chellapandian of the AIADMK party with about 27000 votes. In contrast, in the 2016 elections she defeated him with about 20000 votes.