In a statement, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. S. Alagiri said Sankaraiah fought for the welfare of the oppressed and working classes in Tamil Nadu until his death. “He sacrificed his entire life for the Communist cause and he lived amongst the people adopting a simple lifestyle,” he said.
Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan recalled in a statement that Sankaraiah was deeply involved in the freedom struggle and later in the Communist movement. “He spent every day in the service of ordinary people. His passing is not just a loss for the Communist movement, but also for all those who subscribe to decency in politics,” he said.
An all party delegation lead by The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran calling on the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in New Delhi on April 23, 1985 and presenting a memorandum on the problems of Sri Lankan Tamils and the Indian fishermen. Also seen are Tamil Nadu Finance Minister V.R. Nedunchezhian, Electricity Minister S. Ramachandran, S. Raghavanandam, Abdus Samad (Muslim League) S. Andi Thevar (All India Forward Block), M. Kalyanasundaram (CPI), N. Sankaraiah (CPI-M), O. Subramaniam (Cong-I)
Tamil Maanila Congress president G.K. Moopanar, N. Sankaraiah of CPI-M, Nallakannu of CPI who led the demonstration demanding the resignation of the Vajpayee-led BJP government over the Defence deal scam, at Chennai
CPI leaders Varadarajan, Sankaraiah and TK. Rangarajan calling on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa at her residence in Chennai.
DMK president M. Karunanidhi, CPI (M) leader N. Sankaraiah, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, at a human chain rally in Chennai, while protesting against the Tamil Nadu Assembly's order against journalists.
N. Sankaraiah, senior leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist), addressing the party cadres after hoisting the party flag on the occasion of May Day, in Chennai on May 1, 2011
CPI (M) leaders Varadarajan and Sankaraiah
N. Sankaraiah (right), former state secretary,
CPI (M), interacting with Prakash Karat, general secretary, CPI (M), at the Golden Rock Martyrs Day function in Tiruchi on September 5, 2011. Veteran CPI (M) leader R. Umanath is also in the picture.
CPI state secretary R. Nallakannu, Tamil Nadu Congress working president, E.V.K.S. Elangovan and CPI(M) leader N. Sankaraiah take part in a conference in Tiruchi on December 10, 2022
CPI (M) leader N. Sankaraiah, addressing a public meeting in Madurai on January 27, 2018
N. Sankaraiah and Prakash Karat paying tribute to the party martyr at the 21st CPI (M) Tamil Nadu State Conference in Chennai on February 16, 2015
Freedom fighter N. Sankaraiya, releases the publication`Thamizhaga Panpattu Suzhal’. It is being received by K. Veeramani, president of Dravidar Kazhagam at a function held at Nungambakkam in Chennai on November 13, 2013
Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader N. Sankaraiah addressing at the Lok Sabha election meeting for party's North Chennai candidate U. Vasuki at Royapuram in Chennai on April 18, 2014
CPI (M) leader and freedom fighter N. Sankaraiah celebrates his 100th birthday in Chennai on July 15, 2020
Freedom fighter and veteran CPI (M) leader N. Sankaraiah addressing during centenary celebrations, at CPI (M) office, T. Nagar, in Chennai on October 17, 2019
Communist Party of India (CPI) leader R. Nallakannu greeting veteran Communist leader N. Sankaraiah on his 101st birthday at his residence in Chennai July 15, 2022
Veteran Communist leader N. Sankaraiah releasing All India Agricultural Workers Union 10th state conference logo on December 1, 2022
CPI (M) leader N. Sankaraiah addressing the press in Chennai
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Manithaneyan Makkal Katchi (MMK) president M. H. Jawahirullah described the late leader as a multifaceted personality. “He was a student leader, freedom fighter trade unionist and also the editor of a magazine. While he fought British colonialism before independence, he fought for people’s rights after Independence,” he said.
Recalling the days he had worked with Sankaraiah, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko said his death was a loss to those who were fighting for secularism and the rights of workers.
Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai said he was deeply saddened by the demise of the veteran political leader and one of the founding members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Expressing his condolences to the friends and family of the late leader, he said Sankaraiah’s death was a great loss to Tamil Nadu’s politics.
Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) president G.K. Vasan said the freedom fighter and veteran Communist leader’s death was an irreparable loss to politics. Recalling the leader’s contributions in various roles for more than 80 years, Mr. Vasan said Sankaraiah worked tirelessly for improving the lives of the poor and middles class people. He said the late leader had had an affectionate relationship with late Congress leaders like K. Kamaraj and G.K. Moopanar. He offered his condolences to the family, leaders and workers of the CPI (M).
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss said Tamil Nadu’s history of politics and protests cannot be written without Sankaraiah.
Recalling Sankaraiah’s participation in Tamil Nadu’s significant political events and protests, he said the late leader “was very loyal to the ideology he believed in. At the same time, he lived a simple life for more than 100 years, and he has mentored many young leaders.”
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