Chennai: Chepauk MLA J. Anbazhagan (62) died at 8.55 am on Wednesday, undergoing treatment to Covid- 19 in a private hospital Rela Hospital. He was admitted to hospital on June 2^nd due to “Severe Acute Respiratory Distress” and had tested +ve for Covid- 19.

The hospital authorities was put him on ventilator support on June 3^rd when his breathing trouble worsened. He was suffering from acute pneumonia and his condition deteriorated on Monday evening, according to Dr Rela Institute and Medical Centre, where he was being treated. His cardiac function dropped and a chronic kidney disease also contributed to his critical condition.

“The COVID 19 pneumonia rapidly deteriorated early this morning. In spite of full medical support including mechanical ventilation at our COVID facility he succumbed to his illness.” In a statement, said the private hospital today. Anbazhagan is the first MLA & a political leader to die of Covid- 19 in Tamil Nadu. 2011 Anbazhagan was the active activists of the DMK party and also he is very near to the DMK Chief M.K. Stalin.

He was involved in the party programs very actively and tried to strengthen the party in the state. He was elected as MLA in 2001 from T. Nagar Constituency and entered into the Assembly for first time. Later he was defeated in 2006, and elected as an MLA from Chepauk in 2011. He was again elected in 2016 from Chepauk Constituency for second time. Anbazhagan is also having active participation in the cinema industry also. He produced a film “Aadi Bhagavan” in 2013 and also he was in the distribution field also.

Condolences: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami, Deputy CM O.P. Selvam and DMK chief M.K. Stalin have condoled the politician’s death. Stalin has announced three-day mourning with the DMK flag at half-mast. All party events have also been called off.

A staunch DMK loyalist and a good organizer, Anbazhagan was active in the party’s community outreach amid the lockdown. Stalin said: “How will I forget Anbazhagan, who died contracting the virus, dedicating himself for public life. My dear brother Anbazhagan… when will I see you again”. O.P. Selvam spoken with Stalin over phone conveyed condolences to the party and the family members of the Anbazhagan.