DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan passes away at 97

Anbazhagan, General Secretary of the Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam (DMK), died on Saturday at about 1:00 am after a prolonged illness,
said party president MK Stalin at the age of 97.

In a statement issued, MK Stalin said that Anbazhagan was a
close friend of late party President M Karunanidhi and served as the party’s
General Secretary for 43 years.

Anbazhagan was appointed to the party General Secretary post
in 1977. He was admitted to Apollo Hospitals due to age-related ailments on
February 24 and his condition turned critical later.

Anbazhagan was elected to Tamil Nadu Assembly nine times and
had been the Finance Minister in the DMK government. He had also served as the
Minister for Social Welfare, Education before becoming the finance minister.

He was a Member of Lok Sabha 1967-1971 and was also a member
of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council which was abolished later. In 1984,
Anbazhagan had resigned as a member of Tamil Nadu Assembly in support of Sri
Lankan Tamils.

Condoling Anbazhagan’s death Stalin cancelled all party
activities and the party flag will fly at half-mast during the mourning period
as a mark of respect for the departed leader.

Anbazhagan’s body was taken to his residence from Apollo
Hospital for public homage.

For the past one year, Anbazhagan was taking rest at his
home due to his old age and was not attending public functions.

Affectionately called as ‘Perasiriyar’ or Professor,
Anbazhagan was born as Ramaiah in Tiruvarur District (then Thanjavur District)
on 19.12.1922 and later changed his name.

Anbazhagan was a post-graduate in Tamil literature from the
Annamalai University.