A short-lived joy for 102-year old woman in civic polls

Madurai, Oct 25 (PTI) Thadahathi was on top of the world on being declared winner in the civic polls at a ripe age of 102. But it turned out to be a short-lived joy for her as officials have now reversed the poll outcome citing a faux pas. Thadahathi hit the headlines for becoming the oldest elected member in local bodies when she was declared winner in the polls to a ward member post in nearby Pudukulam village on Friday, but officials have now declared her immediate rival Manimaran the winner. Officials said action has been initiated against concerned panchayat union officials for declaring Thadahathi, an independent, as the winner after 'wrongly' crediting the votes polled by Manimaran to her and vice-versa. It was Manimaran who polled 76 votes against Thadahathi's 50. However, upset over the sudden reversal, Thadahathi, who has endeared herself to the villagers being a midwife and positive attitude, suspects some foul play. "I was declared winner and officials of Tirupanrankundram Panchayat Union handed over the certificate to me. But they cheated me by taking back the certificate saying it would be given to her at a felicitation function,"the centenarian said. The woman is an expert 'Maruthuvatchi' (village midwife who is conversant with traditional medicine) and helped the local women deliver nearly 1,000 babies.