He was 86.
The youngest minister in the K Kamaraj Cabinet during Congress rule in the 1960s, Poovaragan was not keepingwell for the last few months and he breathed his last at his residence here this morning, party sources said.
Poovaragan was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly thrice -- 1962, 1967 and 1989. He was also elected to the Lok Sabha from Cuddalore constituency.
Shipping Minister G K Vasan and other senior congress leaders visited the leader's house and offered floral tributes.
TNCC president B S Gnanadesikan in a statement expressed grief over the death and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.