‘A big loss to Tamil Nadu, literature’

Chief Minister, party leaders condole veteran journalist’s death

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and other political leaders condoled the death of journalist, playwright and literary critic Gnani.

In a statement, Mr. Palaniswami said Gnani was a hard worker and led a simple life and his death is a big loss to the media industry. DMK working president M.K. Stalin recalled Gnani’s friendship with DMK leaders M. Karunanidhi and Murasoli Maran and his contribution as a writer for the party organ Murasoli through his column Pudhayal . “He had great respect for me and expressed his views transparently. Despite having political differences he always operated independently,” Mr. Stalin said in a statement.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Su. Thirunavukkarasar noted that Gnani would express his views boldly in any situation and always raised voice against fascist and communal forces.

PMK leader S. Ramadoss said Gnani had worked in many news organisations and never settled for a compromise and never lost his independence.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol. Thirumavalavan noted that he wanted to field Gnani as his party candidate in the 2016 Assembly elections, but he could not contest due to health reasons.

Tamil Maanila Congress president G.K. Vasan said Gnani expressed his views quite boldly and his death was a big loss to Tamil Nadu and the world of literature.

M.H. Jawahirullah, state president of the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) said, until his last breath Gnani raised voices against communal forces and his last Facebook post was proof of it.

CPI (M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan and United Communist Party of India State secretary Sundararajan also condoled Gnani’s death.