Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s two-time MLA S. Vellaichamy alias Kather Batcha (80) was hacked to death at his residence by a former employee on Friday morning.
Vellaichamy’s wife Rukmani Ammal suffered injuries on her right hand when the assailant attacked her with a knife after she raised an alarm. The assailant was caught and allegedly beaten to death by Vellaichamy’s aides who rushed on hearing the screams.
Deputy Inspector General M. Ramasubramani said P. Dhanaseelan was working at the former MLA’s house earlier and was asked to leave a year ago due to political rivalry with the latter’s son Muthuramalingam, who is panchayat president of Melaramanadhi village near Kamudhi.
Dhanaseelan had wanted to contest the panchayat president’s election but was asked by Vellaichamy’s family to withdraw. Though he went ahead, his nomination was rejected by election officials.
This rivalry is suspected to be the reason for the murder.
Vellaichamy represented the Mudukulathur constituency in Ramanathapuram district during 1971-76 and 1989-90. He had also held the post of chairman of Ramanathapuram District Cooperative Central Bank. The former MLA is survived by his wife, five daughters and two sons.
On hearing about the incident, former Ministers Suba. Thangavelan, Thangam Thennarasu and V. Sathyamoorthi visited the Government Hospital at Kamudhi where the post-mortem was done.
Superintendent of Police Kaliraj S. Mahesh Kumar said investigation was under way and political rivalry during local body elections was the suspected motive. “However, we are also looking at other angles.”
The SP ruled out any caste angle though the former MLA and Dhanaseelan belonged to different castes. Leaders from various political parties visited his residence and paid homage.
Shops downed shutters at Kamudhi and bus services remained suspended for a few hours.
The body would be kept at his residence till Saturday morning for the party cadre and leaders to pay homage.
Karunanidhi condoles death
In Chennai, DMK president M. Karunanidhi condoled the death. “Kather Batcha was one of the party seniors who built the organisation in the southern region. Whenever he visited Chennai he would call on me without fail.
He also participated in all programmes and agitations of the party,” Mr. Karunanidhi said in a condolence message.
The DMK headquarters said party flags would fly half-mast for three days to condole his death.
