CPI district secretary and party MLA S.P. Muthukumaran, 43, representing Pudukottai constituency, died in a road accident near Annavasal on Sunday.
Mr Muthukumaran, accompanied by the party’s union secretary Mr Muruganandam, was on his way to Annavasal when his jeep, driven by Mr Manikandan, overturned after its tyre burst near Sokkanathanpatti on Pudukottai-Annavasal road at around 10 am.
The driver lost control and the jeep veered off the road and rolled several times before it plunged upside down into a roadside gorge, eyewitnesses said.
Mr Muthukumaran, who was sitting beside the driver, died on the spot while the other two were injured and rushed to Pudukottai GH.
Mr Muthukumaran is a first time MLA from Pudukottai constituency, who won by a narrow margin of about 2,000 votes against DMK’s Periannan Arasu in assembly elections held in March 2011.
He is survived by his wife and two children. After a post mortem, his body was kept at the town hall till 6 pm to allow public to pay their last respects before being taken to his native place Neduvasal in Karambagudi taluk.
State ministers R. Vaithilingam and N. Subramanian and former minister Raghupathy paid their homage. The funeral rites will be performed on Monday evening.
Governor, CM condole MLA’s death in accident
Governor K. Rosaiah, chief minister J. Jayalalithaa and leaders of political parties in the state condoled the death of CPI Pudukottai MLA S.P. Muthukumaran.
In his condolence message to Muthukumaran’s spouse, Mr Rosaiah said, “I am deeply shocked to hear about the tragic accident of your beloved husband. I pray to God to rest his soul in peace.”
Ms Jayalalithaa expressed deep anguish over the death of CPI MLA. Conveying her condolence to the bereaved family and partymen, she said in a statement that Muthukumaran had functioned ‘efficiently’ during his brief stint as MLA in the Assembly and won the appreciation of all.
CPI state secretary D. Pandian said it was “disheartening to know that Muthukumaran rose and vanished like lightning” and expressed condolence to his wife, son and daughter. As a token of respect CPI party flag would fly half-mast for three days across the state, he said.
DMK president M. Karunanidhi described him as one of the best cadres of CPI, while CPI (M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan termed Muthukumaran’s demise a “great loss to CPI,” and expressed their condolences to his wife, family and CPI.
DMDK president Vijayakanth said, “It was a shocking news. I remember working with him.” Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader M.H. Jawahirullah said Muthukumaran was an emerging leader of CPI and had left an impression by shooting many questions in the Assembly.