C Velayutham, BJP's First Ever Tamil Nadu MLA, Dies

Former BJP MLA in Tamil Nadu state assembly and social worker C Velayutham died today. Mr Velayutham was the first ever BJP member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly who was elected from Padmanabhapuram Assembly constituency in the 1996 elections. He defeated DMK”s Bala Janathipathy in the 1996 elections. However, in the later elections, he could not succeed as he came second in the next 2001 elections and third in the 2006 elections.

BJP national president JP Nadda expressed condolences over his death and said Mr Velayutham’s commitment and dedication to the party and society will always be remembered.

“Deeply saddened by the passing away of former MLA and social worker C. Velayutham ji. He was the first-ever assembly candidate elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the BJP, representing the Padmanabhapuram constituency in the 1996 elections. His commitment and dedication to the party and to society will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to his family and supporters in this difficult time. Om Shanti!,” Nadda wrote on Twitter.

After calling him the pioneer of BJP politics in the Tamil Nadu, state chief and party’s Coimbatore candidate K Annamala said the news of C Velayutham’s death is saddening.

“He was devoted to the development of the party. He was principled and hard worker. He sowed hope for the growth of BJP in Tamil Nadu. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and relatives of Mr Velayutham. May his soul rest in peace,” Annamalai wrote on Twitter.

Before Mr Velayutham, an independent from the right wing politics was elected to Tamil Nadu assembly in 1984. V Balachandran, belonging to the Hindu Munnani, won as Independent in those elections. Currently, BJP has four MLAs in the state assembly.