Former Tamil Nadu minister Chendur Pandian passes away

CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu minister and AIADMK MLA P Chendur Pandian died here today following prolonged illness, the party said. Pandian (64), representing Kadayanallur Assembly constituency, was undergoing treatment at a private hospital here and breathed his last this morning, it said.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

Pandian was the minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments till he was admitted to hospital early this year, when it was handed over to his cabinet colleague R Kamaraj. He was a minister without any portfolio since then.

He was subsequently left out of the Jayalalithaa-headed cabinet that was sworn-in in May after she returned as a chief minister following her acquittal in a wealth case by the Karnataka High Court.

Jayalalithaa expressed grief over her junior colleague's death and described him as a loyal party worker who was known for the hard work towards party activities.

She recalled his contributions to the party and the various posts held by him.

"Chendur Pandian's death is a great loss to the AIADMK. In order to condole his death, all party functions and public meetings arranged for today (Saturday) stand postponed," she said in a statement.

He was elected to the Assembly from Kadayanallur in Tirunelveli district in 2011 following which he was inducted as the minister for Khadi and Village Industries. He held that post till February 2013.