Chennai: Ganeshamurthi of the MDMK, the incumbent Lok Sabha MP from Erode, Tamil Nadu, passed away at a private hospital in Coimbatore early this morning due to cardiac arrest. He was admitted to the hospital on March 24 after allegedly attempting suicide.

The 77-year-old, who won the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on a DMK ticket, reportedly tried to take his own life by consuming poisonous tablets at his home on March 24. He was rushed to a private hospital in Erode by his family members after experiencing discomfort.

Upon admission, he was immediately taken to the ICU and placed on a ventilator. Subsequently, he was transferred to a private hospital in Coimbatore for further treatment.

Initially, the Erode Town police registered a case of attempted suicide, but it will now be updated to a case of death by suicide. The hospital authorities handed over his body to the police, who then transferred it to the Institute of Road Transport (IRT) Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Following the post-mortem, his body will be taken to Kumaravalasu village, located 15 km away, for burial.

Expressing grief over Ganeshamurthi's demise, party founder Vaiko said, "He seemed content with the seat (party ticket) issue. He met me twice. We never anticipated such a decision from him. He appeared to be in good spirits. It's unbelievable that he took such a step and passed away. We offer our deepest condolences."

Ganeshamurthi, elected as an MP on the DMK's rising sun symbol in 2019, had previously won Lok Sabha elections from Palani in 1998 and Erode in 2009.

Survived by a son and a daughter, Ganeshamurthi was a widower.

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