Poosapati Sanjeevi Kumaraswamy Raja (1898–1957) was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (Madras Presidency), India from 6 April 1949 to 10 April 1952 and Governor of Orissa from 1954 to 1956. He was born in Rajapalayam in Tamil Nadu to Poosapati Sanjeevi Raja. His mother died when he was eight days old. He lost his father when he was three years old. Raja had no brothers and sisters and he was brought up by his grand mother.
After schooling, Raja was connected with the Congress organisation at its every level. He took a prominent part in Panchayat Organisations, Local Board administration. He was President of Rajapalayam Union, Panchayat court, District Board of Ramnathapuram, District educational Council etc.

The lives and writings of Annie Besant and Satyamurthy had great influence on his mind and character in his formative years. It was in 1919 that he met Mahatma Gandhi for the first time and started following with great interest the events in Gandhi’s life. Gandhi’s epic struggle in South Africa, the founding of the Ashram in Ahmedabad and the Champaran struggle made a profound impression on him and the utter simplicity of Mahatma’s life also evoked his unbounded admiration. In 1932 He was arrested for disobeying the unjust laws. Thus Rajapalayam gained a distinct place in political map, the credit went to Raja’s lead. In 1934, Raja won central legislature for constituency comprising Tirunelveli, Madurai & Ramanathapuram. In 1936 he was M.L.A in C. Rajagopalachari ministry.

In all the years of his life, most of Raja’s wealth was spent in helping the poor and in serving public causes, particularly for the Congress movement. Raja’s life was one of noble activity, dedication and selfless service for the people of the country. He was a staunch proponent of the concept of “Separation of the Judiciary from the Executive”. Prohibition, promotion of Khādī and Temple entry legislation were his other notable achievements. He donated his house for starting an institution of culture called “Gandhi Kalai Mandram”. Rajapalayam became a great industrial centre mainly due to his drive and interest.