C. Perumal, sitting Member of Legislative Assembly from Yercaud Constituency, died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Salem on Thursday. He was 62 and is survived by wife and four sons.
Mr. Perumal complained of chest pain and was immediately taken to a private hospital in the city. But he died around 6.15 a.m., doctors said.
Born on December 8, 1950, Mr. Perumal completed his SSLC and served as a postmaster.
He later joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He contested from the Yercaud constituency in 1989 as a candidate of the faction led by Ms. Jayalalitha and won.
He was an MLA during the AIADMK regime in 1991-1996.
Mr. Perumal was also a deputy secretary of the party’s Salem District East unit and secretary for Yercaud unit.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa arrived at Salem by a helicopter from Kothagiri in the Nilgiris around 4.20 p.m. and proceeded by road to Mr. Perumal’s native village of Pappanaickenpatti in Attur taluk, about 65 km from here, to pay homage.
Ms. Jayalalithaa reached the village at 6 p.m. The convoy had to slow down between Belur and the village because of villagers crowding the 10 km stretch.
Ms. Jayalalithaa consoled the MLA’s wife and other family members. Ministers, MLAs, government officials, party functionaries and the public paid homage to the MLA.
Condoling the death of Mr. Perumal, she said he had endeared himself to people with his mild and friendly manners.
The three-time MLA from Yercaud, who immersed himself in public service, had participated in all the protests organised by the party and was imprisoned many times.
His death is a loss to the party and to the people of Yercaud.
