BJP's first-ever MLA in Tamil Nadu, Velayuthan dies

Chennai: C Velayuthan, who was the BJP's first MLA in the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed away on Wednesday, the party said. He was 73.

BJP national president J P Nadda, in a post on X said, "Deeply saddened by the passing away of former MLA and social worker C Velayuthan 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 !

Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai hailed Velayuthan as a pioneer of the party in the state. On X, he said, Velayuthan, BJP's first MLA in Tamil Nadu, worked hard and "sowed the seeds of confidence for the party's growth in Tamil Nadu." He condoled the death of Velayuthan and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.

Several other BJP leaders, including Union Minister L Murugan condoled Velayuthan's death.

Velayuthan's victory in the 1996 Assembly election was remarkable, not only because the saffron party opened its account in the Assembly but it happened when the DMK-led alliance swept the polls decimating the AIADMK. Velayuthan was elected from Padmanabhapuram Assembly constituency in Kanniyakumari district and he passed away there.

In 1996, Velayuthan defeated his nearest rival, Bala Janathipathy of the DMK and won by a margin of 4,540 votes. He was associated with Sevabharathi, an RSS affiliated social service organisation and took part in the anti-Emergency movement from 1975 to 1977.