Former TN Speaker K Rajaram passes away

Chennai, Feb 8 (UNI) Former Tamil Nadu Minister and Assembly Speaker K Rajaram died at a private hospital here today, following prolonged illness.

He was 82. He is survived by a son.

Rajaram, who had been suffering from a kidney ailment for some time, was hospitalised three months ago. However, his condition did not improve and he breathed his last this evening.

The three-time minister had served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 1980-84. He had held key portfolios like Industries, Labour and Food in the erstwhile M G Ramachandran and Karunanidhi governments.

He had also been a Member of Parliament and Special Representative of Tamil Nadu in New Delhi.

A staunch follower of the Dravidian movement Mr Rajaram was a close associate of rationalist leader Periyar E V Ramasamy.

Mr Rajaram, who had been a member of both the DMK and the AIADMK, had floated the 'Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam' along with like-minded leaders in 1977, before merging it with the AIADMK.

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