Was Geriatric Face of Anti-TASMAC Protest

TIRUNELVELI/CHENNAI:MDMK general secretary Vaiko’s mother Mariammal passed away at a private hospital here on Friday.

Mariammal was admitted to a private hospital in Palayamkottai on Thursday after she suffered respiratory problems. She breathed her last around 9 am on Friday.

Mariammal, who was 98, is survived by two sons, including Vaiko and Ravichandran, the Kalingapatti panchayat president and three daughters. The body was taken to her native Kalingapatti village near Sankarankovil in Tirunelveli district and kept at the family house for homage. The final rites will be held at Kalingapatti at 11 am  on Saturday, said a MDMK leader

It was Mariammal’s protest in August demanding the closure of a TASMAC shop at Kalingapatti that took the agitation to a new level. Condolences poured in from all quarters including DMK leader M Karunanidhi and DMDK leader Vijayakant, besides leaders of almost all parties  Karunanidhi recalled his visit to Vaiko’s house and how he was welcomed by Mariammal, while party treasurer MK Stalin said she was also a guide to “my older brother Vaiko”.

Vijayakant said she was affectionate to him during his visit to Vaiko’s house during the 2014 Parliament election campaign. Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and BJP State president Tamilisai Soundarrajan expressed condolences.  PMK founder S Ramadoss said she was respected by political leaders who used to get her blessings when they visited Tirunelveli. TNCC president EVKS Elangovan said Mariammal had a good understanding of the evils facing the State and fought against liquor. DK Kazhagam leader K Veeramani and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss.

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