DMK member dies while on election duty in Salem, his mother dies next day

SALEM: A DMK member, identified as Mariyappan of Athikattanoor near Tharamangalam, died while on election duty at a polling station in Salem West constituency on Thursday evening. His mother, Palaniammal, died on Friday morning.Mariyappan’s cousin K Thangavelu told TOI that he died of a suspected heart attack while on election duty at Athikattanoor polling station. “Mariyappan’s mother, who could not bear the shock of his death, died on Friday morning,” Thangavelu said. Salem Central district DMK secretary and tourism minister R Rajendran visited the home of the deceased mother-son duo and paid his tributes. He announced Rs 5lakh financial assistance to Mariyappan’s wife, Radha, on behalf of the party.Several party functionaries, including Tharamangalam East union secretary Krishnamoorthy, accompanied the minister as cadres gathered in large numbers to pay their respects.