Police said the 21st ward Kovilpatti councillor, Nagarajan, who was upset at Jayalalithaa not ruling the state, prayed that she should become chief minister and allegedly set himself ablaze at Ettayapuram road yesterday.
Those who heard his screams rushed him to the Tiruneveli Government Medicial college hospital where he died.
A case has been registered.
A special court in September last had convicted Jayalalithaa and three others in a graft case. The Karnataka High Court has reserved its orders on her appeal challenging the conviction and four year jail term awarded by the court.