S.P. Muthukumaran, the CPI MLA who was killed in a road accident on Sunday, had several firsts to his credit.
He was the first CPI member to win from the Pudukottai constituency in the 2011 election.
Apart from being hampered by limited resources, he faced a challenge during election campaign when his mother died. Undeterred, he went ahead with his electioneering, focusing on rural areas.
Muthukumaran was also known for championing the cause of farmers. As MLA, he regularly attended the monthly meetings held by the district administration to redress farmers grievances.
“I hail from an agricultural family and would strive for farmers' cause,” he told the first grievances meeting held after the election to Assembly. He had also won appreciation for his good work at the Assembly, generating much goodwill in the constituency.
On Sunday, workers cutting across party lines made a beeline to the Town Hall here to pay their last respects to Muthukumaran.
Former Union Minister and Congress leader Su. Thirunavukkarasar termed the death of Muthukumaran “irreparable loss” not only to the bereaved family members but to the Pudukottai constituency and to the CPI. He told The Hindu that Muthukumaran was known for his simplicity and accessibility to the masses.
Former AIADMK minister R. Radhakrishnan recalled the efforts of Muthukumaran in attending to people's grievances.
