DMK MLA dead

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 20. Mr. G. Chokkalingam, sitting DMK MLA from Tirupporur constituency in Chengalpattu district, died today at Mambakkam village, near Tambaram. He was 63 and is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters.

An agriculturist, Mr. Chokkalingam was elected to the Assembly for the first time from Tirupporur constituency in 1977 and reelected in 1980.

He was president of Mambakkam Panchayat and trustee, Tiurpporur Murugan temple, besides participating in all struggles organised by the DMK in the last three decades.

Mr. Chokkalingam is the eighth sitting member in the 11th Assembly to die, seven of whom were from the DMK and one from the TMC.

On hearing the news, the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, rushed to the residence of the MLA at Mambakkam and laid a wreath on the body and paid his last respects followed by Ministers, the party's chief whip, Mr. B. M. Mubarak and deputy general secretary, Mrs. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan and Chennai Corporation Mayor, Mr. M. K. Stalin.

The Union Commerce Minister, Mr. Murasoli Maran, telephonically conveyed his condolences to the members of the bereaved family.

The Assembly paid homage to the memory of Mr. Chokkalingam and adjourned for the day.

A condolence resolution moved by the Leader of the House and Education Minister, Mr. K. Anbazhagan, described the three-time MLA as a man of action, simplicity and pleasing manners.

Expressing grief at the death of his party colleague, Mr. Karunanidhi said the legislator had earned a reputation by dint of his unstinted service to the people of his constituency. Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. Balakrishnan and leaders of other parties condoled the death.

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Section  : Regional
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