Former Speaker Kalimuthu passes away, AIADMK mourns his death

Chennai, Nov 8: Former Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker and AIADMK Presidium Chairman K Kalimuthu died due to heart ailment at a corporate hospital here, early today.

He was 65. He is survived by his wife, four sons and five daughters.

Mr Kalimuthu, who underwent heart surgery a few months ago, had been hospitalised for quite some time. The end came at about 0630 hrs today.

AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa placed a wreath on the body of the departed leader, which was kept at his Anna Nagar residence, and paid her respect to the veteran leader.

She consoled the bereaved family members.

Leaders of various political parties, including MDMK Deputy General Secretary Mallai Sathya and Tamil Nationalist Movement leader P Nedumaran and scores of AIADMK functionaries and cadre paid homage to the late leader.

Mr Kalimuthu's body, which was kept at his residences in Cenatoph Road and Anna Nagar here for the public to pay homage, was later taken to his native Ramudevanpatti village in Sivakasi district by road.

The last rites would be performed in the native village tomorrow morning, family sources said.

Born on May 25, 1942, Mr Kalimuthu joined the Dravidian movement during his student days and soon shot into limelight through his oratorial and Tamil literary skills.

He was elected as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) five times and as a Lok Sabha member once during 1989-91.

He had served as Local Administration and Agriculture Minister in the MGR Cabinet during 1977-86. He was the Assembly Speaker during 2001-2006.

A great Tamil scholar, Mr Kalimuthu held a doctorate degree in Tamil literature and had authored several books.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Ms Jayalalithaa and leaders of various political parties had expressed grief over the death of Mr Kalimuthu. In his condolence message, Mr Karunanidhi said the late leader subscribed to Dravidian ideology right from his students days and fought against imposition of Hindi in the state.

Well-versed in oratorical and writing skills, he remained a good friend, he added.

Ms Jayalalithaa, in her message, said the late leader strived for the growth of AIADMK and development of Tamil language till his last breath.

''His demise is an irreparable loss to the AIADMK,'' she said and announced a three-day mourning as a mark of tribute to him.

The party flag would fly at half-mast in Tamil Nadu and in other states where the AIADMK was functioning and all party programmes and public meetings stand cancelled, she added.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss said the demise of Mr Kalimuth was a great loss not only to Tamil Nadu politics but also to Tamil language.

He was friendly with everybody despite political differences, setting an example, he added.

BJP State President L Ganesan and Nationalist Congress Party State President G P Sarathy also condoled Mr Kalimuthu's death.

UNI