Sir Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan | |
|---|---|
 Rajan in 1934 | |
| Member of Madras Legislative Assembly for Cumbum | |
| In office 1952–1957 | |
| Governor | Sri Prakasa, A. J. John, Anaparambil |
| First Minister | Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, K. Kamaraj |
| 6th First Minister of Madras Presidency | |
| In office 4 April 1936 – 24 August 1936 | |
| Governor | John Erskine, Lord Erskine, Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu (acting) |
| Preceded by | Raja of Bobbili |
| Succeeded by | Raja of Bobbili |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 April 1892 Uthamapalayam, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Died | 25 September 1974 (aged 82) Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Political party | Justice Party |
| Children | P. T. R. Palanivel Rajan |
| Alma mater | The Leys School, Cambridge, Jesus College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Sir Ponnambala Thiaga Rajan (22 April 1892 – 25 September 1974) was the First Minister of Madras Presidency from 4 April 1936, to 24 August 1936 (143 Days).[1][2] He was also the last President of the Justice Party. P. T. Rajan was born in a Thondaimandala mudaliar family in Uthamapalayam. His ancestors were from Kanchipuram. He attended The Leys School, Cambridge and later, Jesus College, Oxford. He graduated in history and law, and practiced as an advocate for some time before joining the Justice Party.
Rajan was elected to the Madras Legislative Council as a Justice Party candidate in 1920 and served as a legislator till his defeat in 1937. He held various offices such as the Minister of Public Works and then, the First Minister of Madras Presidency. From 1939 to 1944, Rajan supported Periyar but broke off and headed the rebel Justice Party till 1957. Rajan was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1952 and served as a legislator from 1952 to 1957. He also served interim speaker of Madras State Legislative Assembly in 1952. Rajan died in 1974 at the age of 82.
Rajan's son Palanivel Rajan served as a minister of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2001. Rajan's grandson Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (son of Palanivel Rajan) was the finance minister of Tamil Nadu and he is the Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services of Tamil Nadu.
- ^ "Provinces of British India". World Statesmen. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
- ^ "List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu". Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 20 October 2008.