Congress leader Balakrishnan passes away

Chennai, June 24: Veteran Congress leader S Balakrishnan died this morning after a prolonged illness.

Balakrishnan, who served as TNCC president and leader of the opposition in the Assembly, was 70.

He is survived by his wife, four sons and a daughter.

Balakrishnan had been ailing after he met with an accident in September 2004 when he was proceeding to his native Paramukudi from Rameswaram. Due to an injury in the spinal cord, he was undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Madurai. He recovered for a short while but fell ill again. After his condition worsened last night, he was taken to Paramakudi and he died at 0400 hrs this morning.

Balakrishnan was elected to the Assembly four times -- thrice from Mudhukalathur and once from Kadaladi.

The funeral will take place tomorrow, according to family sources.

UNI