Senior DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu minister Veerapandi S. Arumugam died in Chennai on Friday after a brief illness.
Arumugam, 75, was admitted to a hospital two days ago. His condition turned critical Friday. The body is being taken to Salem.
DMK president M. Karunanidhi paid homage to Arumugam. The party has announced a three-day mourning.
Arumugam was elected to the Tamil Nadu assembly six times during a long political career that started in 1957.
He was arrested on charges of land grabbing after the AIADMK took power in 2011. He was released about a month ago.