70-year-old DMK worker dies after self-immolation protest in front of party MLA house

Madurai (Tamil Nadu): A 70-year-old DMK worker, who had attempted self-immolation in front of the house of Madurai North MLA G. Thalapathi at Thiruparankundram here on Thursday, succumbed to burn injuries at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here early on Friday.

Police said I. Ganesan, alias ‘Managiri’ Ganesan, a resident of Managiri locality in the city, was allegedly frustrated over being sidelined by senior party functionaries in party affairs.

He went to meet Mr. Thalapathi, who is also DMK’s Madurai urban district secretary, to address his grievance.

However, he doused himself with petrol, which he brought in a can and set himself ablaze.

He was admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital with 90 percent burns, where he died without responding to the treatment.

Earlier, he attempted to commit suicide by self-immolation near the statue of DMK patriarch and former chief minister M.Karunanidhi, demanding the Centre recall Tamil Nadu Governor R.N.Ravi for his anti-DMK government stance.

Police foiled his suicide attempt. Since then he has been suffering from health and psychological problems.