Senior DMK leader and former MP Dr Masthan has passed away at the age of 66 in Chennai on Thursday - December 22 due to cardiac arrest. Masthan was serving as the chief of DMK's Minority rights wing and was the vice president of Tamil Nadu government's Minorities Commission. After learning about his demise, several DMK leaders including Chief Minister MK Stalin had paid tribute to the deceased. 

Masthan had a political affiliation with the ADMK before joining DMK and he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu from an ADMK ticket. He served as an MP from 1995 to 2001. Some years back, Masthan quitted from ADMK and joined its rival DMK. He was appointed as the chief of the party's minority rights wing. After DMK came to power, Masthan was made the vice president of the Minorities Commission. 

Masthan was traveling in a car in Urappakkam near Chennai on Thursday morning during which he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was rushed to a hospital where he breathed his last. According to reports, Masthan's death has come as a big tragedy for his family at a high time when he was making arrangements for his son's engagement. 

It has been reported that the engagement event was scheduled to be held on Thursday and for the past few days, Masthan was busy inviting the relatives for the function. The reports say that Masthan had on Wednesday met newly sworned-in minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and extended his wishes to him. However, within a day, Masthan had passed away and his untimely demise had saddened the party and its cadres. 

In his condolence note, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote, "I was deeply shocked to learn about the death of Dr Masthan, who was a former Rajya Sabha MP and vice president of State Minorities Commission. I extend my tribute to him. Dr Masthan, who had a respect and affection on me, had always etched the party's spirit in his heart. He had completely dedicated him to the service and development of DMK's Minority rights wing." 

"Today I am grieving the loss of social worker who not only worked for the welfare of minorities but also to people of all communities. Whenever I visit Anna Arivalayam, he (Masthan) will welcome me with a happy face and he met me a few days ago and dearly invited me to his son's engagement. The loss of Masthan, who was a good humanitarian, social worker, and dedicated cadre, is irreplaceable. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaving family and to the brothers and sisters of minority communities", MK Stalin added.