CPI veteran Nallakannu’s body handed over to Madras Medical College for medical research

Thousands of Communist Party of India (CPI) workers and members of the general public thronged ‘Balan Illam’, the party’s State headquarters at T. Nagar in Chennai, on Thursday (February 26, 2026), to pay their last respects to freedom fighter and veteran leader R. Nallakannu, who passed away at the age of 101 on Wednesday (February 25, 2026).

Many CPI workers and members of the public from various districts arrived at the party office to pay tributes to Nallakannu, who championed the rights of the working class and the oppressed.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, along with his Cabinet colleagues, leaders of various political parties including MDMK general secretary Vaiko, DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakant, Naam Tamilar Katchi chief coordinator Seeman, members of the film fraternity and several others, paid homage to the departed leader.

Mr. Stalin and other leaders also raised slogans in praise of the late leader, hailing his lifelong commitment to public causes. The Tamil Nadu government accorded State honours to the departed veteran at ‘Balan Illam’.

Prominent personalities who paid last respects to Nallakannu include veteran journalist N. Ram, actors Rajinikanth, Suriya and Karthi and former IAS officers, among others.

Mr. Rajinikanth said he had never seen leaders such as Omandur P. Ramaswamy Reddiyar, K. Kamaraj, P. Kakkan, and C.N. Annadurai. But he saw all of them in Nallakannu. The departed leader was an example of earning respect by being honest, humble and polite, he added. Ms. Vijayakant reiterated her demand for conferring Bharat Ratna on Nallakannu.

In the evening, Nallakannu’s mortal remains were taken in a procession from the party office through Anna Salai, with party workers lining the route to bid farewell to him. As per his wish, his body was handed over to Madras Medical College for medical research.