R. Nallakannu. File
| Photo Credit: K.V. Srinivasan
R. Nallakannu, the 101-year-old veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and freedom fighter from Tamil Nadu, passed away in Chennai at 1.55 p.m. on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) following prolonged illness and age-related ailments. He had been admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital since February 1.
Fondly known as ‘Comrade RNK’, he was the only surviving member of the Nellai Conspiracy Case. The centenarian is survived by two daughters, Andal and Kasi Bharathi.
“Over the past 24 hours, there were fluctuations in his health condition. A team of specialists treated him. However, his body’s capacity to respond to medication gradually declined from this morning, and his condition worsened. Despite being in the intensive care unit, his organs failed, and he passed away at 1.55 p.m.,” the hospital superintendent said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
His body will be brought to Balan Illam for the public to pay homage, sources in the party said.
Published – February 25, 2026 02:44 pm IST
