R. Nallakannu
Indian politician (1924–2026)
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Ramasamy Nallakannu (26 December 1924 – 25 February 2026) was an Indian politician. He was a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI), who served as the State Secretary of the Communist Party of India of Tamil Nadu from 1992 to 2005.[1]
Tirunelveli district, Madras Presidency, British India
(now Srivaikuntam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, India)
R. Nallakannu | |
|---|---|
| |
| Secretary, CPI Tamil Nadu State Committee | |
| In office 7 March 1992 – 15 April 2005 | |
| Preceded by | P. Manickam |
| Succeeded by | Tha. Pandian |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 December 1924 Tiruvaikuntam, Tirunelveli district, Madras Presidency, British India (now Srivaikuntam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Died | 25 February 2026 (aged 101) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Party |  Communist Party of India |
| Spouse | Ranjitham Ammal |
| Parents |
|
| Occupation | Politician, social activist |
Career
In 2018, Nallakannu individually fought a court case in Madurai, and won at the High Court. The court ordered a ban on digging sands from the Thamirabarani River of his native place. On 2 December 2010, the court banned the taking of sand from the river for 5 years.[2] He undertook many hunger strikes, some lasting more than 20 days. He was honoured by the Vice President of the People's Republic of China during his visit to Beijing.[3]
In 1999, Nallakannu stood for Coimbatore constituency on parliamentary election. He secured 43.21% of total votes, and was defeated by CP Radhakrishnan.[4]
Personal life and death
Nallakannu married Ranjitham Ammal, a retired school headmistress from Srivaikuntam in Tuticorin district, with whom he had two daughters. Ranjitham died in Chennai in 2016, aged 82.[5]
Nallakannu died from multiple organ failure on 25 February 2026, at the age of 101.[6][7]
Recognition
- Sahayogi Puraskar Award from Governor Surjit Singh Barnala of Tamil Nadu (14 August 2007)[8]
- Ambedkar Award for Contribution to Public Life (2007)[9]
- Gandhian Award for Social Service from All India Mahatma Gandhi Social Welfare Forum (3 October 2008)[10]
- Jeeva Award from District Writers Association (21 January 2009)[11]
Electoral history
Lok Sabha elections
| Elections | Assembly | Constituency | Political party | Result | Vote percentage | Opposition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Political party | Vote percentage | ||||||||||
| 1999 | 13th | Coimbatore | CPI |  | Lost | 43.02% | C. P. Radhakrishnan | BJP |  | 49.21% | ||
Tamil Nadu Assembly elections
| Elections | Assembly | Constituency | Political party | Result | Vote percentage | Opposition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Political party | Vote percentage | ||||||||||
| 1967 | 4th | Ambasamudram | CPI | | Lost | 11.10% | G. Gomathisankara Dikshidar | INC |  | 46.35% | ||
| 1977 | 6th | Ambasamudram | CPI | | Lost | 32.63% | Eswaramoorthy Alias Soranam | CPI(M) | _election_symbol_-_Hammer_Sickle_and_Star.svg){kind=small} | 35.33% | ||