Chennai, February 25 Veteran leader of the CPI and freedom fighter, R Nallakannu, died here on Wednesday at a government hospital where he had been treated for age-related ailments.
He was about 101 years old, according to party sources.
Chief Minister M K Stalin, paying glowing tributes, announced full state honors at the funeral of the deceased leader. Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum, paying rich tributes to the Left leader.
A bulletin from the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital said that despite intensive care, Nallakannu passed away at 1:55 PM on February 25, 2026, following the failure of all vital organs.
The bulletin stated that there had been fluctuations in the health status of the CPI leader, who had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit on February 1 following illness.
Nallakannu's intensive care was managed by a multidisciplinary team during his 24-day hospitalisation. However, "from early this morning," he gradually became unresponsive to medication and his condition rapidly deteriorated, the Madras Medical College-Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital said in the bulletin.
In his condolence message, Stalin praised Nallakannu as an uncompromising fighter who dedicated his life to the freedom of the nation. The CPI leader had always remained firm in the belief that the Communist and Dravidian ideologies were complementary forces that must work together for social change.
The Chief Minister hailed the Left leader for having dedicated his life for the welfare of the working class. Former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi honored Nallakannu by presenting him the Ambedkar Award.
Stalin said: "It was my great fortune to have the opportunity to confer the 'Thagaisal Thamizhar' (Distinguished Tamil) Award on comrade on behalf of our Dravidian model government."
Recalling that he had remarked during Nallakannu's centenary celebrations that the Left leader "lived as the Communist movement itself" resonated in his memory. Also, the memory of Nallakannu, who lived his life entirely for the masses, shall forever remain etched in the hearts of the people.
Furthermore, the CM said: "My deepest condolences to his grieving family members, relatives, and all comrades of the Communist movement who mourn the loss of our comrade... let us bid farewell with full state honors—paying our solemn respects—to our distinguished Tamil, our dear comrade."