New Delhi, May 8: Former MLA from Tamil Nadu C Velayutham, who was the "first-ever assembly candidate" elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) passed away on Wednesday.

BJP president JP Nadda paid homage to Velayutham who won from Tamil Nadu's Padmanabhapuram constituency in the 1996 Assembly elections.

"Deeply saddened by the passing away of former MLA and social worker C. Velayutham ji. He was the first-ever assembly candidate elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the BJP, representing the Padmanabhapuram constituency in the 1996 elections. His commitment and dedication to the party and to society will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to his family and supporters in this difficult time. Om Shanti!" Nadda said in a post on 'X' on Wednesday.

Offering his condolences to Velayuthan's bereaved family, BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai said, "The news of the passing away of Mr. C. Velayuthan, the first legislator of Tamil Nadu BJP and one of the pioneers of the party, is deeply saddening. He is devoted to the development of the party. He was a man of principled and worked hard. He sowed hope for the growth of BJP in Tamil Nadu." (ANI)

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