In a tragic turn of events, A Ganeshamurthi, a respected member of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Member of Parliament (MP) for Erode, passed away in the early hours of Thursday at a private hospital in Coimbatore. The 77-year-old veteran politician’s death followed an alleged suicide attempt.
Ganeshamurthi, a stalwart in Tamil Nadu politics, had a distinguished political career spanning several decades. However, sources close to him revealed that he had been grappling with severe depression due to a personal issue that arose after he was not given a ticket to contest in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
On March 24, Ganeshamurthi allegedly attempted suicide at his residence in Periyar Nagar, Erode. Family members discovered him unconscious and immediately rushed him to a local private hospital for initial treatment. He was later transferred to the Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH) in Coimbatore, where he unfortunately succumbed to his condition.
Several prominent figures in Tamil Nadu politics, including Housing and Urban Development Minister S Muthusamy, Modakurichi MLA C Saraswathi, former minister K V Ramalingam, and MDMK general secretary Vaiko, visited Ganeshamurthi during his hospitalization.
According to MDMK sources, Ganeshamurthi, who had served as a Lok Sabha MP three times, was informed that he would be considered for the upcoming Assembly elections in 2026. However, the denial of a ticket for the current round of elections triggered a personal issue that reportedly led to his severe distress.
Following his death, Ganeshamurthi’s body was transported to a government hospital in Perundurai, Erode, for a postmortem examination. His body will be displayed for public homage in his hometown.
Local police are currently investigating the circumstances leading up to Ganeshamurthi’s alleged suicide attempt. As the community mourns the loss of a respected leader, questions remain about the pressures faced by politicians and the support systems in place to help them navigate personal and professional challenges.
This tragic incident underscores the importance of mental health awareness and support, particularly for individuals in high-stress professions such as politics. As we remember Ganeshamurthi’s contributions to Tamil Nadu and Indian politics, let us also remember the importance of compassion, understanding, and support for those struggling with personal issues and mental health challenges.
