Chennai: DMK president M K Stalin, who visited a private hospital at Chrompet in Chennai this morning as soon as he heard that the condition of his trusted lieutenant J Anbazhagan, who was getting treatment for Covid-19, worsened, was shattered to know soon that the legislator had breathed his last.
Sources said that he broke down and became inconsolable. Soon, Stalin announced three-day mourning with the DMK flag at half-mast. All party events have also been called off.
In an emotional statement, Stalin said: “How will I forget Anbazhagan, who died contracting the virus, dedicating himself for public life. My dear brother Anbazhagan…when will I see you again”.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also tweeted his condolences. “DMK MLA #JAnbazhagan is no more. He succumbs to #COVID19. He is the first legislator to die in India of the infection. It was his 62nd birthday today. Om Shanti,” he said.
A staunch DMK loyalist and a good organisor, Anbazhagan was active in the party’s community outreach amid the lockdown.