Banking on the support of underprivileged and marginalised sections, which form the lion’s share of electorate, Domala Mary, a transgender, threw her hat in the electoral ring on Saturday to take on the political bigwigs from the prestigious Khammam Assembly constituency.

Accompanied by a host of her supporters, Mary, director of Prabhatam Welfare Society, a town-based voluntary organisation, participated in a rally prior to submitting her nomination papers at the designated office here.

“Although I don’t have any political background, I have entered into the electoral fray to represent the voice of the marginalised sections,” says Mary. Speaking to The Hindu, she said: I am confident that I will get support from poor and underprivileged people, who hold the key to determine the outcome of the elections. “I will contest the election on people’s strength and seek mandate for espousing the cause of underprivileged sections,” Mary, who is leading an organisation to protect the rights of transgenders, said.

She said her supporters from Warangal, Krishna and other neighbouring districts were set to join her in the electioneering.