AIADMK functionary dies by suicide; EPS announces Rs55 lakh aid for family

Trichy: A 37-year-old AIADMK functionary from Thanjavur district allegedly died by suicide after setting himself ablaze on Sunday night. Before his death, he posted a video on Facebook urging party cadres and functionaries to remain united under AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami.Police identified the deceased as K Mahendiran, of Thiruppanandal, joint secretary of the AIADMK’s Thanjavur East district traders’ wing. He also ran a flower shop in the town.In a video posted a few hours before his death, Mahendiran, a supporter of Palaniswami, appealed to party cadres to work together for the return of an AIADMK government. Sources said he had been distressed in recent weeks over internal developments in the party and the exodus of some functionaries following the party’s defeat in the recent assembly election.Police said Mahendiran poured petrol on himself and set himself ablaze at Palur village near Thiruppanandal around 9pm on Sunday. In his Facebook post, he had requested Palaniswami to pay homage to his body.On Monday, Palaniswami visited Thiruppanandal along with senior party leaders O S Manian and S Kamaraj, paid floral tributes to Mahendiran and consoled his family members.“I urge cadres and functionaries not to take such extreme steps. The party will take care of the late functionary’s family. AIADMK will bear the educational expenses of his one-year-old daughter until she completes her higher education,” Palaniswami said.AIADMK headquarters announced a solatium of Rs35 lakh for the family, while the party’s Thanjavur district unit announced an additional Rs20 lakh, taking the total assistance to Rs55 lakh.