CHENNAI: State Minister C Karuppasamy died here on Saturday at a corporate hospital after a brief illness. He was undergoing treatment for cancer. Karuppasamy is survived by his mother, wife, a daughter and a son. He was 56.Karuppasamy is the second minister in the Jayalalithaa-led Cabinet to die while in office. Environment Minister Mariam Pichai representing Tiruchy West constituency was killed in a road accident on May 23, just a few hours before taking oath as the member of the State Assembly. With the demise of Karuppasamy, the strength of AIADMK has come down to 148. He represented Sankarankovil (SC) constituency.Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa condoled the death of Karuppasamy.Expressing deep grief over the demise of Karuppasamy, Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa recalled his services to the party and the people. “Karuppasamy is known for his simplicity and was very loyal to the high command. His demise is an irreparable loss,” she said.The Chief Minister visited the hospital and paid her last respects to the mortal remains of her Cabinet colleague and consoled the members of Karuppasamy’s family. Later, the body was taken to his native place Puliyampatti village near Sankarankovil. The funeral is expected to take place on Sunday.On May 16, when the Cabinet headed by Jayalalithaa was sworn in, Karuppasamy was allotted the Animal Husbandry portfolio. Later, he was made Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare. After being admitted to the hospital, he continued as a minister without a portfolio.Born on March 22, 1955, at Puliyampatti village, Karuppasamy studied up to erstwhile Pre-University Course (PUC) and entered politics at a very young age when former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran founded the AIADMK.He started as the secretary of Puliyampatti unit of the party and became Sankarankovil panchayat union secretary. Later, he served as the Tirunelveli Rural West district secretary. He also served in the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation. He has been elected to the State Assembly consecutively for four terms from 1996 to 2011. He became Minister for Adi Dravida Welfare in 2002. Meanwhile, the State government said that the national flag will fly half-mast at all government buildings on October 22 and 23 as a mark of respect to the late minister.
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