MDMK founder Vaiko's mother passes away

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) founder Vaiko's mother Mariammal died at a private hospital in Tirunelveli today.
98-year-old Mariammal was hospitalised last night after she complained of difficulty in breathing and her end came this morning, hospital sources and a party release said.
She is survived by three daughters and two sons - Vaiko and Ravichandran, the president of Kallingapati panchayat, their native village.
Her demise was condoled by Governor K Rosaiah, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and leaders of various political parties, including DMK President M Karunanidhi.
Rosaiah, in his message, said Mariammal had been a source of motivation and inspiration to Vaiko in his service to the cause of the people.

In her message, Jayalalithaa said though this was an irreparable loss, she prayed to the Lord Almighty to give Vaiko and his family the strength to bear it.

The MDMK recalled her active participation in various protests and movements, one of which was an agitation seeking closure of a state-run liquor outlet at Kalingapatti.
Much like Vaiko, she was also a sympathiser of the Sri Lankan Tamil cause and the slain LTTE leader, V Prabhakaran, it said.
Karunandhi recalled the warm reception accorded to him by Mariammal when he had visited Vaiko's residence years ago.
DMDK founder and Opposition leader Vijayakant recalled warmth and affection when he had met her at Kalingapatti last year during election campaign and hailed her social activism, such as protesting against a local liquor shop.

TNCC President Elangovan said Mariammal had earned the respect of all political leaders in the state due to her concerns about social evils and expressed his sympathies with Vaiko and his family members.
BJP's state unit President Tamizhisai Sounderrajan said she was a "motivating factor" for women in the locality.
TMC leader G K Vasan said Mariammal solidly stood by Vaiko and was helpful to the MDMK leader even in her old age.
CPI State Secretary R Mutharasan, PMK founder S Ramadoss, Naam Tamizhar leader Seeman and founder of Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi, T Velmurugan also condoled Mariammal's death.