Shanmugham MLA laid to rest

Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, Feb 6 (UNI) The mortal remains of rebel AIADMK legislator S V Shanmugham, who died last night at Madurai, was laid to rest at his native Vilampatti near Natham town in this district today.

Fiftynine-year-old Shanmugham, who represented Madurai West in the state Assembly, died of cardiac arrest and his body was brought to Vilampatti earlier in the day.

A large number of people, including relatives paid a tearful homage to the departed leader.

Government Whip Mr Chakrapani, Madurai City Mayor Thenmozhi G and Corporation Commissioner D J Dinakaren, DMK MLA from Sholavandan P Murthy were among those who attended the funeral held at the farmland of the deceased legislator.

AIADMK leaders and workers have abstained from the funeral.

Elected to the Assembly in 2006, he openly defied the party leadership and turned out to be an ardent supporter of the Karunanidhi Government, both in and out of the House.

Subsequently, he was stripped of all organisational responsibilities in the AIADMK. Ironically, his passing away coincided with the party General Council Meet held in Chennai for which he was not invited.

Starting his political career in the CPI, he joined the UCPI headed by Mohit Sen, along with current CPI state unit secretary Tha Pandian, when the party split.

He returned to the CPI only to desert it during the 1996 Assembly elections when he unsuccessfully contested from Thiruparankundram on an AIADMK ticket.

He had served as a legislator in 1991.

UNI