Dhinakaran aide and ex-MLA Samy dead

MADURAI

R. Samy, a close aide of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran and three-time MLA from Melur constituency in Madurai district, died at a private hospital here on Thursday. He was 53.

Mr. Samy, who was under treatment for cancer for the past few years, was hospitalised a week ago. He played an instrumental role in organising at least three public meetings in Melur for Mr. Dhinakaran. The first one was organised in May 2017, when Mr. Dhinakaran was lodged in jail in the case of alleged attempt to bribe Election Commission of India officials.

The turnout in this meeting prompted Mr. Dhinakaran to choose Melur for the August 2017 meeting that was organised as a show of strength following his ouster from the then AIADMK (Amma). The AMMK was also launched in Melur in March this year. Mr. Samy was named the organising secretary of the party.

Mr. Samy, who served as secretary of AIADMK’s MGR Youth Wing, won from Melur as an AIADMK candidate in 2001, 2006, and 2011 Assembly elections. He filed a case against the then Superintendent of Police, M. Manoharan, and his team for assaulting him during the by-election to Tirumangalam Assembly constituency in 2009. Party sources said that though he could not contest the 2016 election because of illness, he campaigned for the party.

Mr. Dhinakaran visited the hospital on Thursday along with his family to pay his respects, following which Mr. Samy’s body was taken to Melur. His last rites will be performed on Friday. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.