Chennai, February 26: Senior CPI leader R. Nallakannu’s body will be donated to a medical college in Chennai, fulfilling his last wish. The 101-year-old leader passed away on Wednesday.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that Nallakannu would receive full state honors before the body is handed over.
Stalin remarked that Nallakannu dedicated his life to sacrifice and public service, and thus the state will bid him farewell with the utmost respect. His body will be available for public viewing at the CPI office, ‘Balan House’, in Thyagaraja Nagar until 3 PM today. Afterward, party workers will hold a procession before transferring the body to the medical college hospital.
Nallakannu had been admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital on February 1 due to age-related ailments. According to hospital administration, his condition worsened over the last two days. Despite intensive treatment, he passed away due to multiple organ failure at 1:55 PM on Wednesday.
Political leaders paid heartfelt tributes. Chief Minister Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin were among the first to offer floral tributes. Leaders from various parties, including AIADMK’s D. Jayakumar, former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Congress state president K. Selva Perunthagai, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, and BJP leader L. Murugan, also came to pay their respects.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences, stating that Nallakannu was respected beyond social and political boundaries and dedicated his life to others.
AIADMK General Secretary K. Palaniswami described him as a leader of rare integrity and moral strength.
Celebrities from the film industry, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Vijay Sethupathi, remembered him as a symbol of simplicity, ideological commitment, and public service.
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