Senthamangalam DMK MLA K. Ponnusamy passes away

Senthamangalam MLA K. Ponnusamy, who belonged to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), died of cardiac arrest on Thursday (October 23, 2025). He was 74.

Ponnusamy was a resident of Puliyankadu, located in the Nadukombai panchayat of Senthamangalam taluk. On Thursday morning, he complained of chest pain and was rushed to the Kolli Hills Government Hospital. He was later taken to a private hospital in Namakkal, where he died without responding to treatment.

The private hospital, in a statement, said Ponnusamy was brought to the facility at 7.05 a.m. from the Kolli Hills Government Hospital on ventilator support. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated immediately, but he died at 7.30 a.m. The immediate cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest, the hospital added in its release.

His body was taken to his residence in Puliyankadu. Adi Dravidar Welfare Department Minister M. Mathiventhan, MPs K.R.N. Rajeshkumar and V.S. Matheswaran, District Collector Durgamoorthi, MLA P. Ramalingam, Namakkal Corporation Mayor D. Kalanithi, and several DMK functionaries and cadres paid their last respects and offered condolences to Ponnusamy’s family members.

Ponnusamy started his political career in the AIADMK and later switched to the DMK. He contested on behalf of the DMK in the Senthamangalam (ST) constituency four times in a row (2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021) and won in 2006 and 2021. He is survived by his wife, Jayamani; son, Madesh; and daughter, Poomalar.

Stalin condoles demise

In a statement, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said, “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Senthamangalam MLA K. Ponnusamy. His demise is a great loss for the constituency and for the DMK, who earned the respect of the Senthamangalam constituency people and served as MLA twice. He worked hard for the party in the capacity of Namakkal East District deputy secretary of DMK. He worked tirelessly for the progress of tribal people.”