Veerapandy S. Arumugam

Veerapandi S Arumugam (26 January 1937 – 23 November 2012) was a Tamil Nadu politician. He was born to Solai Goundar in Poolavari, Salem.^[1]

Veerapandi S. Arumugam
Arumugam at a function in Salem to mark 50 years of public life
Member of the Madras State Assembly and Tamil Nadu State Assembly
In office 1962 - 1977
Preceded by	M. R. Kandasamy Mudaliar
Succeeded by	P. Venga Gounder
Constituency	Veerapandi
In office 1996 - 2001
Preceded by	K. Arjunan
Succeeded by	K. Arjunan
Constituency	Veerapandi
In office 1989 - 1991
Preceded by	Arumugam
Succeeded by	M. Natesan
Constituency	Salem – II
In office 2006 - 2011
Preceded by	M. Karthe
Succeeded by	constituency abolished
Constituency	Salem – II
Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council
In office 1978–1984
Constituency	Elected by MLAs
Personal details
Born	Veerapandi Solai Aarumugam 26 January 1937 (1937-01-26) Poolavari, Salem district, Tamil Nadu
Died	23 November 2012(2012-11-23) (aged 75) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Occupation	politician

He died on 23 November 2012 in Chennai due to illness.^[2][3]

Political career

Arumugam first became a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam member in 1957.^[4][3] He has for decades been the face of the DMK in the Salem region. He held the Veerapandi Assembly seat with a vise-like grip.

In his early age he was inspired by the writings and speeches of the late Chief Minister and DMK founder C. N. Annadurai and party chief M Karunanidhi, Arumugam plunged into politics when he was 14. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly five times. Arumugam was among the few non-founding leaders in the DMK, who enjoyed unquestioned respect and stature.^[5] He also served as the Minister for Rural Development and Local Administration and the Minister for Agriculture.^[2]