Former DMK Minister S.P Sarguna Pandian, who began her political career as a platform speaker even when she was a school student, died here on Saturday. The 75-year-old is survived by two sons and her daughter-in-law, Shimla Muthuchozhan. Sarguna Pandian unsuccessfully contested against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency in the recently held Assembly elections.
“She has not been well for quite some time, especially after she underwent a bypass surgery,” said Ms. Muthuchozhan.
Born in a family of followers of Dravidar Kazhagam and its founder Periyar in Thalavaipuram in Thoothukudi district, she was encouraged by her father Ponnusamy and cousin Dravidamani to address public meetings. She had a meteoric rise in the party and held the post of deputy general secretary for the last ten years.
“DMK founder Anna would call her Sollin Selvi. She was in the forefront in all the struggles organised by the party and was nominated to the Chennai Corporation in 1971,” said DMK leader M. Karunanidhi in his condolence message.
She was elected to the Assembly from the R.K. Nagar constituency in 1989 and again in 1996. As a Minister she held the portfolio of Social Welfare between 1996 and 2001. In the 2006 Assembly elections, she contested unsuccessfully from the Royapuram constituency.
“She played a crucial role in organising the party’s women's wing conferences in Chennai, Tiruchi and Madurai and she was conferred with the Kalaignar award in 1990 for her contribution to party work,” said Mr. Karunanidhi.
