Chennai, Oct 23 (NationPress) K. Ponnusamy, the DMK MLA representing the Senthamangalam constituency in Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district, has passed away at the age of 74 after a brief illness.

A prominent political figure, Ponnusamy was celebrated for his simplicity and deep connection with the grassroots, standing out as one of the senior leaders of the DMK in western Tamil Nadu.

Throughout his career, he played a crucial role in fortifying the party's foothold in Namakkal district, earning respect across party affiliations for his commitment to public service and accessibility.

During the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Ponnusamy achieved a significant win for the DMK in Senthamangalam, outpacing his AIADMK opponent, Chandran, by a margin of 10,493 votes.

Ponnusamy received 90,681 votes (45.51%), while Chandran obtained 80,188 votes (40.25%). His success played a pivotal role in the DMK’s strong showing that year, assisting Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in reclaiming power after a ten-year hiatus.

In the previous 2016 Assembly elections, Ponnusamy contested from the same seat but faced a narrow defeat against the AIADMK candidate.

Despite the setback, he remained dedicated to engaging with farmers, youth, and cooperative societies, thus strengthening the party's position in the Scheduled Tribes-reserved constituency.

The Senthamangalam constituency, designated as number 93, was established post-delimitation in 1957 and includes areas from Rasipuram and Namakkal taluks, falling under the Namakkal Lok Sabha constituency.

Political leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties have expressed their condolences over Ponnusamy’s passing.

DMK members have honored him as a “dedicated and grounded leader who stayed connected with the community,” while peers from other parties recognized him as a man of integrity and service.

It is noteworthy that not long ago, another sitting legislator, AIADMK’s T.K. Amulkandasamy (60), MLA from Valparai in Coimbatore district, also passed away after a long illness.

Both Ponnusamy and Amulkandasamy were esteemed constituency-focused representatives who prioritized developmental initiatives and welfare-oriented governance.

Their recent demises mark a significant loss for both major Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu, signaling the conclusion of an era defined by experienced, people-centric legislators.