Chennai: Three time DMK MLA J Anbazhagan, who had tested positive for coronavirus and was admitted to a private hospital, died here this morning.
His end came on the day he turned 62. He is the first elected representative in Tamilnadu to die of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Son of former DMK MLA Jayaraman, Anbazhagan, who is also the DMK West Chennai District Secretary of the party, was elected to the State Assembly from the Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni constituency in the 2016 elections.
Earlier, he was first elected to the Assembly from the T.Nagar seat in the 2001 elections and later from Chepauk in 2011 and 2016.
A bulletin issued by Dr Rela Institute of Medical Centre, where he was admitted on June two and tested positive for corona, said Anbazhagan, who has been fighting for his life with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, rapidly deteriorated early this morning.
“In spite of full medical support, including mechanical ventilation at our COVID facility, he succumbed to his illness”, it said.
From the hospital, his body was taken to his residence for a brief while where his family memebrs paid their last respects and bade a tearful adieu.
It was later laid to rest at the Kannammapet burial ground by the Corporation staff by following the safety and health protocols put in place by the government. He was buried next to his father’s burial site.
He was a prominent face in the T.Nagar locality. A large number of DMK cadres and locals, carrying the portraits of Anbazhagan, thronged the burial ground to have a glimpse of the departed soul.
At the party headquarters Anna Arivalayam, DMK president M K Stalin, senior leaders, MPs and MLAs paid floral tributes to a portrait of Anbazhagan.