P.N. Periannan, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam district secretary for Dharmapuri (north) and Pennagaram Member of the Legislative Assembly, died at a private hospital in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 54. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
According to family members of the deceased MLA, Periannan, who was admitted to the hospital about 15 days ago, was suffering from acute diabetes for about six months. The funeral would take place in Pennagaram on Wednesday.
DMK president and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, accompanied by senior Ministers including Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan and Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, paid homage.
A press release issued by the DMK headquarters stated that Arcot N. Veeraswami, principal secretary and Electricity Minister, would participate in the funeral.
In the 2006 Assembly election, Periannan was elected, defeating the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam nominee by a margin of about 27,000 votes.