CHENNAI: One of the senior leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Tamil Nadu and former MP from Madurai Parliamentary constituency, P Mohan died here on Friday at a private hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 60 and survived by his wife Poongavanam, three sons and two daughters.
On knowing the demise of Mohan, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi drove to Apollo Hospitals and paid homage to the late leader. During the Lok Sabha elections in May this year, Mohan unsuccessfully contested against Karunanidhi’s son MK Alagiri, in Madurai constituency. Even during the election campaign, his health condition was not good.
Mohan was admitted to Stanley hospital in Chennai on complaints of intestinal bleeding and he was shifted to Apollo Hospitals 10 days ago. But the condition worsened on Friday and he passed away at 7 p.m. Mohan’s mortal remains were taken to Madurai on Friday night. The funeral will take place at Thathaneri crematorium.
In his condolence message, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said Mohan’s demise was a great loss to the CPM. ``Personally, I have lost a good friend…despite being a member of the CPM, Mohan was very affectionate to me, ‘’ he said.
The State unit of the CPM has declared a three-day mourning and announced that the party flags would be flown at half-mast.
Mohan hailed from Sholavanthan in Madurai district and completed his BA in American College in Madurai. He had held various positions in the party including the member of the State committee. Mohan was elected to the Lok Sabha from Madurai consecutively for two terms (1999-2004 and 2004-2009)
Condoling the death of Mohan, CPM State secretary, N Varadharajan said Mohan joined the communist party even during his student days and worked for the welfare of the people.