Senior most DMK politician K Anbazhagan - popularly known as Perasiriyar (professor) - passed away on Saturday morning at 1 am in a private hospital.
He was 97. He is survived by two daughters and a son.
A close associate of DMK founder M Karunanidhi, the academic-turned- politician Anbazhagan had been the party's general secretary continuously for the last 43 years, He was a nine time MLA and one time Lok Sabha MP and had served as Education and Finance Minister and Leader of Opposition in the past in the Tamil Nadu government.
Anbazhagan who had an MA degree in Tamil was always consulted by Karunanidhi on all major issues.
Born on December 19, 1922, at Katoor near Thiruvarur (from where Karunanidhi hails), Anbazhagan was drawn to Dravidian politics as a student by the fiery oratory of EV Ramasamy and later CN Annadurai. Along with Karunanidhi, he was one of the most prominent faces in the Dravidian movement.
DMK president MK Stalin in a statement said that the party has postponed all its party functions for one week and all DMK flags to fly half-mast for a week.
PTI adds
Following the demise of Anbhazhagan, a host of leaders cutting across party lines offered their condolences to the bereaved family.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Chief Minister K Palaniswami, Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, Superstar Rajinikanth, actor-politician Kamal Haasan, Congress leaders P Chidambaram, K S Alagiri, VCK leader Thirumavalavan and DMDK Chief Vijayakanth were among those who expressed their condolences.
“I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of the veteran of the Dravidian movement, former Tamil Nadu minister, scholar politician and DMK general secretary K Anbhazhagan”, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said in a tweet.
“Perasiriyar as called by his admirers was a great orator and a scholar. His widom, his ability to constantly pursue the ideology he believed in and his commitment to the cause of people inspires all,” he said.
“I pay my heartfelt condolences to bereaved families members and followers. May his soul rest in peace,” he tweeted.
In a statement, Palaniswami said Anbazhagan’s demise was a huge loss to the state.
“I extend my deep condolences to his family members and party men in this hour of grief...” the chief minister said.
Speaking to reporters after paying homage to the departed DMK leader here, Actor Rajinikanth said, “I extend my deep condolences to his family members and DMK cadres.”