Chennai: A legislator belonging to the ruling AIADMK, R Kanagaraj, representing Sulur in the Tamilnadu Assembly, died of heart attack this morning.
The 63-year-old MLA is survived by his wife Rathinam, a son and a daughter.
Kanagaraj was going through a newspaper at his residence when he suffered a massive cardiac arrest and collapsed.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His body was later taken to his residence at Sultanpet, where it was kept for the public to pay their homage.
Following the death of Kanagaraj, the number of vacant seats in the State Assembly has gone up to 22, though by-elections will be held to fill 18 seats on 18 April along with the Lok Sabha elections.
The strength of the AIADMK, too, has come down to 114 in the 234-member Assembly.
The MLA, who held several important party posts, was said to be close to Minister Velumani, who has condoled his death.