Former Tamil Nadu Congress Chief and Member of Legislative Assembly from Erode East Erode Venkata Krishnasamy Sampath Elangovan died on Saturday, December 14, in Chennai He was 75. Elangovan was reportedly admitted to a private hospital in Chennai due to lung-related ailments.
According to initial reports, the senior Congress leader had been hospitalised since November 11. He had been undergoing intense treatment for more than two weeks before he died on Saturday.
The president of the Indian National Congress and the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, in a statement said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Former Union Minister, Former PCC President of @INCTamilNadu, and Erode MLA, Thiru EVKS Elangovan. A candid and courageous leader, he was a consensus builder. He devoted his entire life to upholding the progressive ideals and principles of the Congress Party and Thanthai Periyar, serving the people of Tamil Nadu with steadfast dedication and commitment.”
Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Khusbhu Sundar, who had previously been with the Indian National Congress, expressed her condolences and called Elangovan a “non-egoistic leader with a large heart who believed in inclusivity.”
In January 2023, Elangovan’s son, Thirumahan Everaa, died of a heart attack at the age of 46. He was then the MLA of Erode East. Elangovan then contested the bye-elections and won the seat.