New TN minister killed in accident

A week after he was sworn in as a member of J Jayalalithaas cabinet,first-time MLA and Tamil Nadu Minister for Environment and Pollution Control and Minority Affairs N Mariam Pitchai died.

A week after he was sworn in as a member of J Jayalalithaas cabinet,first-time MLA and Tamil Nadu Minister for Environment and Pollution Control and Minority Affairs N Mariam Pitchai died in a road accident on Monday morning.

Mariam Pitchai was going to Chennai for the new Assemblys opening session and take oath as MLA. Police said the vehicle in which the minister was travelling rammed into a lorry from behind while trying to overtake it around 7 am on the national highway at Padalur in Perambalur district.

Mariam Pitchai,who was sitting in the front seat,was killed on the spot. His driver V Anandan escaped with minor injuries,while three others,including two party workers and a constable who were in the car,were seriously injured.

Story continues below this ad

Sports Minister N R Sivapathy was following him in another vehicle.

A grassroot worker and a former Tiruchy municipal corporation councillor,Mariam Pitchai,60,defeated DMK strongman and sitting minister K N Nehru in the polls.

His sudden death cast a gloom at the swearing-in function in Chennai. After the ceremony,Jayalalithaa left to meet his family members.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Mariam Pitchais family,Jayalalithaa said there was an element of mystery in the case,adding that the crime branch will investigate the matter.