J Anbazhagan: DMK loses its bold loyalist, who never compromised

J ANBAZHAGAN 1958-2020

J Anbazhagan: DMK loses its bold loyalist, who never compromised

His Speeches, Which Sometimes Rattled Party Forums, Reflected True Feelings Of Cadres

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com  11.06.2020

In 2018, in an interview to a Tamil news channel, DMK MLA from Chepauk-Triplicane assembly segment in the city, J Anbazhagan (62), who passed away on Wednesday, had said, “No one can dictate terms to me. It does not matter whether it is a television studio, party district secretaries’ meeting or the assembly – my voice should be heard.” He was always heard.

A three-time MLA and DMK’s Chennai west district secretary, Anbazhagan was bold and forthright; hence courted controversies too. “He was an unflinching loyalist of former party president and chief minister M Karunanidhi and remained one of the few leaders who never struck compromises with the ruling AIADMK on anything and for anything,” recalls a family friend, who knew Anbazhagan from his school days.

“Kalaignar gave me a second life and I will remain loyal to him for ever,” Anbazhagan used to tell his friends, recalling a liver transplant he had to undergo in London in 1995. But, he never hesitated to speak his mind, even if it was to Karunanidhi. “You have told me. Leave it. No need to pester me over it” – Anbazhagan used to tell Karunanidhi on his face, party insiders recall. He was bold and a hardcore party cadre.

His speeches, which at times created flutters in party forums, seemingly reflected the true feelings of the party cadres. “Even a few days ago, at a virtual meeting of district secretaries, Anbazhagan questioned party president M K Stalin for ranking their performance based on reports submitted by rank outsiders (I-PAC team),” recalled a DMK leader, who did not want to be named.

Even senior party leader S Durai Murugan, known for cutting fellow leaders to size through his cryptic comments, kept a safe distance from Anbazhagan. “He takes on even ‘Thalaivar’. He may tell something on my face,” Durai Murugan used to tell partymen in private.

Being bold and loyal was in his blood. His father Jayaraman, popularly known in party circles as ‘Pazhakadai’ Jayaraman was a DMK strongman in the region; they owned a fruit shop in T Nagar and hence the moniker.

Once Anbazhagan, after his maiden election victory in 2001, took on the ruling AIADMK, headed by then chief minister J Jayalalithaa, in the state assembly with a speech that rattled the ruling benches, despite being allotted a seat (Number 234) in the remotest corner. Later, when he went to DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam, Karunanidhi’s nephew Murasoli Maran hugged him. “You are ‘Pazhakadai’ Jayaraman’s son and you proved it,” senior Maran told him. Whenever Anbazhagan rose to speak, the ruling benches used to get jittery; and invariably, all his speeches ended in uproar in the House.

With inputs from Pushpa Narayan

BIDDING ADIEU: DMK workers near the Kannammapettai crematorium, where J Anbazhaagan was buried

Party leaders condole death

Sivakumar.B@timesgroup.com

Condolences poured in as the news of death of DMK MLA J Anbazhagan spread. Governor Banwarilal Purohit, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam and leaders of various parties have sent their condolences. “News about the death J Anbazhagan was as though both lightning and thunder came together and struck. Anbu was a close friend whom I have lost now and when will I ever see your face,” said DMK president M K Stalin in an emotional condolence. Party flags would fly at half-mast for three days and party organised welfare events were being postponed, the DMK chief said.