She was elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from the R.K. Nagar constituency in 1989 and again in 1996

Former DMK minister S.P Sarguna Pandian, passed away in Chennai on Saturday. She began her political career as a platform speakerwhen she was a school student, She was 76 and is survived by her two sons and daughter-in-law, Shimla Muthuchozhan. Ms. Muthuchozhan had unsuccessfully contested against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency in Chennai.

“She was not well for quite some time, especially after she underwent a bypass surgery,” said Ms. Muthuchozhan.

“DMK founder Anna would call her ‘Sollin Selvi’. She was in the forefront in all the struggles organised by the party and was nominated to the Chennai Corporation in 1971,” said DMK leader M. Karunanidhi in his condolence message.

Born in a family of followers of Dravidar Kazhagam and its founder Periyar in Thalavaipuram in Thoothukudi district, she was encouraged by her father Ponnusamy and cousin Dravidamani to address public meetings. She had a meteoric rise in the party organisation and held the post of deputy general secretary in the last ten years.

She was elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from the R.K. Nagar constituency in 1989 and again in 1996. As a minister she held the portfolio of Social Welfare between 1996 and 2001. In the 2006 Assembly elections she had contested unsuccessfully from the Royapuram constituency.

“She played a crucial role in organising the party’s women’s wing conferences in Chennai, Tiruchi and Madurai and was conferred Kalaignar award in 1990 for her contribution to party work,” said Mr. Karunanidhi.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent  / Chennai – August 13th, 2016