Veteran Dravidian ideologue L. Ganesan no more

L. Ganesan (92), veteran Dravidian ideologue, passed early on Sunday (January 4, 2026) at his residence at Ram Nagar, Medical College Road in Thanjavur. Suffering from age related health issues, he was staying with his family members since 2006.

Born in 1934 at Kannathankudi village in Orathanadu tahluk, Thanjavur district, Ganesan, during his law college days, was inspired by the Tamil linguistic struggle movement and joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) founded by C.N. Annadurai. He took part in the anti-Hindi imposition agitation in the 1960s. Ganesan was also detained under the draconian Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency.

He also served as a member of the erstwhile Tamil Nadu Legislative Council and as well as the member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly representing Orathanadu Assembly Segment twice in the year 1971 and 1989.

He later quit the DMK and was one of the founding members of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam floated by Vaiko. Ganesan had also served as a member of Rajya Sabha.

He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Tiruchi Parliamentary Constituency on a MDMK ticket in the 2004 general elections. However, two years later, he was relieved from the post of MDMK party presidium chairman by the party general secretary, Vaiko citing ‘anti-party activities’. He was expelled from the party in 2008 on charges of defying the party whip during the trust motion moved by Manmohan Singh government at the Centre.

Later, he rejoined DMK and was hailed as “Mozhipor Thalapathy” (linguistic war commander). He remained a member of the party’s high-level executive committee.

His mortal remains would be cremated at his native place on January 5, 2026. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.