AIADMK Veteran Karuppasamy Pandian Passes Away at 75
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Synopsis
AIADMK veteran leader and former MLA V. Karuppasamy Pandian has passed away at the age of 75. His political career spanned decades, during which he experienced numerous ups and downs within the AIADMK and DMK parties. He is survived by his family and is remembered for his contributions to Tamil Nadu politics.
Key Takeaways
- Pandian had a significant political career beginning in 1972.
- He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly in 1977.
- He switched between AIADMK and DMK multiple times.
- He faced several electoral challenges throughout his career.
- He was a notable supporter of both MGR and Jayalalithaa.
Chennai, March 26 (NationPress) The esteemed AIADMK figure and former MLA V. Karuppasamy Pandian has passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Thiruththu, close to Palayamkottai, on Wednesday.
He was aged 75.
He leaves behind his wife, three sons, and two daughters.
Pandian's political career commenced in 1972, when he joined the AIADMK shortly after the iconic Tamil actor and politician M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) founded the party.
He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Alangulam in 1977 and subsequently from Palayamkottai in 1980.
However, he was unable to retain the Palayamkottai seat in the 1984 elections. After MGR's death in December 1987, the AIADMK fractured into factions led by Jayalalithaa and Janaki. Pandian supported Jayalalithaa and contested the 1989 Assembly election from Alangulam, but was defeated.
He subsequently distanced himself from the AIADMK after his electoral loss. He rejoined the party in 1991 when Jayalalithaa became Chief Minister and was appointed as Deputy General Secretary in 1996.
However, in 2000, he was expelled from the AIADMK due to alleged anti-party activities and joined the DMK that same year.
Pandian experienced a mix of successes and challenges with the DMK. He lost the 2001 Assembly election from Tenkasi but made a comeback by winning the same seat in 2006.
His attempt to regain the seat in 2011 was unsuccessful, as he lost to actor R. Sarathkumar, and his relationship with the DMK soured.
In 2015, he was suspended from the party for allegedly influencing the appointment of his son, V.K.P. Shankar, to a party position.
A year later, in July 2016, he returned to the AIADMK despite previously criticizing Jayalalithaa during his time with the DMK. Following Jayalalithaa's passing later that year, he was appointed as one of the organising secretaries of the AIADMK by her close aide V.K. Sasikala.
Nonetheless, Pandian resigned from this position in February 2017 in protest of TTV Dhinakaran's appointment as Deputy General Secretary.
In 2018, he rejoined the DMK after M. Karunanidhi's death, aiming for a significant role under M.K. Stalin's leadership. When his aspirations were unmet, Pandian returned to the AIADMK, offering his support to party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
