Cho Ramaswamy had immense affection for Amma, Tamil Nadu chief minister Panneerselvam says

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam, DMK chief M Karunanidhi and other political party leaders on Wednesday condoled the death of political commentator, journalist and actor

Cho Ramaswamy

. Cho died of a cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai on Wednesday morning.

Panneerselvam, who visited the residence of Cho at MRC Nagar and paid floral tributes to the departed soul, issued a statement condoling the death of Cho. This was Panneerselvam’s first statement after taking over as the chief minister.

"Cho had immense affection for Puratchi Thalaivi

Amma

(Jayalalithaa). On her 60th birthday, Amma went to his house and received his blessings. She did the same thing after assuming power in 2011. Cho has received several awards for his writings which included Veerakesari and Goenka awards. His death is a loss to media, theatre and film world," said Panneerselvam in the statement.

Jayalalithaa’s aide Sasikalaa Natarajan also paid floral tributes to Cho.

In his condolence message, Karunanidhi said, “Despite several differences, Cho had a special affection for me. He was a great journalist in Tamil Nadu, and his writing had a tinge of joke in it. I convey my condolences to the family."

DMK treasurer and leader of the opposition M K Stalin and his elder brother M K Alagiri visited the residence of Cho and paid floral tributes. "A few days ago, I visited Cho in the hospital and enquired about his health. I thought he would come back well, but it is shocking to note that he has died," said Stalin.

"Cho was open to say what he felt on several issues without any hesitation. Apart from Thuglak, he was also the editor of an English magazine called Big Week. ‘Mohammed Bin Tuglaq’ is his most famous play,’" said Stalin.

Other political leaders who condoled Cho’s death included PMK founder S Ramadoss, DMDK chief Vijayakant and IUML leader Khader Mohideen.