Chennai: Veteran Dravidian leader and DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan passed away here during the wee hours of today following a brief illness.
Anbazhagan (97), the senior most DMK leader and a close friend of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, was not keeping well for some time due to age-related ailments and was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals on 24 February after his health condition deteriorated, DMK president M K Stalin said.
A nine-time MLA, Anbazhagan was the party’s general secretary for 43 years. He had been staying away from active politics for some time due to his illness.
In a statement, Stalin said Anbazhagan passed away at 1 am and party flags would fly at half mast for seven days. All the DMK programmes were postponed for a week, he added. Known as ‘Perasiriyar’ (professor) in the DMK circles, Anbazhagan had served as the Tamilnadu Finance Minister, Minister of Public  Welfare and Education Minister.
Stalin had visited the ailing DMK leader when he was admitted to the hospital. After his demise, Anbazhagan’s body was taken to his residence in the city for the public to pay their respects. DMK cadres in large numbers paid their tributes to the veteran leader.
Venkaiah Naidu
Several political leaders have expressed grief and condolence on the demise of Anbazhagan. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu conveyed his condolence to Stalin over phone.
Edappadi Palaniswami
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said the demise of Anbazhagan is a huge loss to the State. ‘He was firm and attached to the Dravidian ideologies. He was multifaceted and was not just a politician, but also a teacher, speaker, writer and social reformer,’ he said.
Stalin
”After my father’s demise, I consoled myself saying that ‘Periyappa’ (Anbazhgan) is there. Now he too has left me. How will I console myself now? Whom will I seek advise and get appreciation? I was much appreciated by him. He was the one who first announced that I will be the president of DMK after my father.”
PMK founder S Ramadoss
Anbazhagan was a honest and clean man. He travelled with Anna right from the beginning of the DMK. He never compromised on Dravidian ideologies. This made him standout from the others gaining him more respect. He had friends in all parties and never hesitated to appreciate people where it was due.
VCK chief Thirumavalavan
Anbazhagan was an example of how politicians should be. Â He was simple, never rude, never compromised on his ideologies. Anbazhagan’s friendship with former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi is something that everyone looks upto.
Rajinikanth
My deep condolences to my dear friend Stalin and Anbazhagan’s family members.
TMC chief G K Vasan
Anbazhagan who joined DMK as a member rose to the rank of general secretary due to his hardwork. He played a major role in the State politics. He worked for the people and his party till his last breath.
Other leaders
In his condolence message, MDMK chief Vaiko recollected his fond memories with Anbazhagan and the rapport he shared with him. Puducherry Chief Minister Narayanaswamy, DK chief K Veeramani, CPI state secretary Mutharasan, TNCC president K S Alagiri, Former Union Minister P Chidambaram, Â DMDK chief Vijayakanth, MNM chief Kamal Haasan, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran, NTK chief Seeman, also conveyed their condolences. Political strategist Prashant Kishor who was recently signed by the DMK also personally paid his respects to Anbazhagan.