MADURAI: Seven-time-MLA A S Ponnammal passed away at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here on Tuesday. She was 88.
Ponnammal, a dalit and a longtime member of the Congress, was suffering from uterus cancer and was admitted for the second time to the GRH on Saturday. As she developed severe respiratory problems, doctors had to put her on ventilator.
The 88-year-old former legislator breathed her last around 2.30 pm. Her body was later taken to Alagampatti in Nilakottai in Dindigul district. The funeral and last rites will be performed on Wednesday or Thursday.
Ponnammal was diagnosed with uterus cancer only recently. Since the ailment was in an advanced stage and due to her age, doctors at GRH said they could not conduct a surgery to remove the organ. She was later discharged from the hospital.
Ponnammal had won the Nilakottai constituency five times. On two other occasions, she was elected from Palani and Sholavandan.