R. Nallakannu. File
| Picture Credit score: R. Ashok
R. Nallakannu, the 101-year-old veteran Communist Social gathering of India (CPI) chief and freedom fighter from Tamil Nadu, handed away in Chennai at 1.55 p.m. on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) following extended sickness and age-related illnesses. He had been admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Authorities Normal Hospital since February 1.
Fondly often known as ‘Comrade RNK’, he was the one surviving member of the Nellai Conspiracy Case. The centenarian is survived by two daughters, Andal and Kasi Bharathi.
“Over the previous 24 hours, there have been fluctuations in his well being situation. A staff of specialists handled him. Nonetheless, his physique’s capability to answer medicine regularly declined from this morning, and his situation worsened. Regardless of being within the intensive care unit, his organs failed, and he handed away at 1.55 p.m.,” the hospital superintendent mentioned in a press release on Wednesday afternoon.
Physique to be donated
His physique can be stored on the get together’s State headquarters ‘Balan Illam’ at T. Nagar in Chennai for the general public to pay homage.
CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian mentioned the physique can be stored on the get together headquarters from 5 p.m. on Wednesday to three p.m. on Thursday (February 26). His physique will then be taken out in a procession. As per his want, the physique can be donated to Madras Medical Faculty for medical analysis.
He additionally mentioned as a mark of respect to the departed chief, the CPI flags will fly at half-mast throughout Tamil Nadu for per week
In Photos: Remembering CPI chief R. Nallakannu (1924-2026)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Okay. Stalin speaks to veteran CPI chief R. Nallakannu throughout an occasion organised to rejoice the latter’s one centesimal birthday in Chennai on December 29, 2024.
Then CPI state secretary R. Nallakannu accumulating election fund from the general public at Kodambakkam in Chennai on December 9, 2003.
Then CPI candidate for Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat R. Nallakannu campaigning in Coimbatore in 1999. In the course of the Normal Election that 12 months, he misplaced to then BJP chief C.P. Radhakrishnan who’s now the Vice-President of India
Then Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president E.V.Okay.S. Elangovan and CPI Chief R. Nallakanu share a lightweight second at Sathyamurthy Bhavan in Chennai on December 1, 2014.
Then CPI State secretary R. Nallakannu with the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on the Secretariat in Chennai on January 13, 2005.
Communist Social gathering of India (CPI) chief R. Nallakannu throughout a protest in opposition to the hike in gas costs in Tiruchi on June 13, 2006.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Okay. Stalin making a gift of the ‘Thagaisal Thamizhar’ award to CPI chief R. Nallakannu in the course of the seventy fifth Independence Day celebrations held at Chennai on August 15, 2022. Nallakannu donated the award’s money element of ₹10 lakh to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Public Aid Fund alongside together with his extra contribution of ₹5,000.
Communist Social gathering of India chief R. Nallakannu popping out of the Madurai Bench of Madras Excessive Courtroom Bench on September 27, 2010 after arguing a PIL referring to sand quarrying in Thamirabarani river.
R. Nallakannu (second from proper), senior chief of Communist Social gathering of India, enquiring in regards to the Paramakudi firing incident at Manjure village in Ramanathapuram district on August 17, 2011.
CPI chief R. Nallakannu addressing throughout a relay quick demanding a service highway alongside Tiruchi-Thanjavur freeway in Tiruchi on July 20, 2017.
R. Nallakannu, CPI chief, listening to farmers and residents at a sand quarry on the banks of the Coleroon close to Anbil in Tiruchi district on August 26, 2011.
Communist Social gathering of India chief R. Nallakannu addressing the members of the Vijaya Hospital Nurses’ Union throughout their protest in Chennai June 3, 2012
CPI leaders T. Pandian (left) and R. Nallakannu (proper) on the State convention in opposition to caste clashes, at Salem in Tamil Nadu on January 8, 2013.
R. Nallakannu, senior CPI chief at Madurai on March 12, 2015.
R. Nallakannu with former BJP state president La. Ganesan on December 20, 2014
CPI chief R. Nallakannu addressing at a protest demonstration in opposition to the US insurance policies, throughout U.S. President Barack Obama’s go to to India, close to Panagal constructing in Chennai on November 8, 2010.
R. Nallakannu, chief of Communist Social gathering of India (CPI), wanting on the broken paddy within the rain-affected areas at Arasur in Thanjavur district on December 5, 2010.
CPI(M) chief N. Sankaraiah (proper) addressing State-level convention of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) in Dindigul on December 31, 2015, within the presence of veteran CPI chief R. Nallakannu.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss (centre) with CPI chief R. Nallakannu (left) and Viduthlai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol. Thirumavalavan at a operate in Chennai on April 27, 2008.
MDMK normal secretary Vaiko (left) and CPI chief R. Nallakannu at a e book launch operate in Chennai on Could 2, 2008
1/3
Printed – February 25, 2026 02:44 pm IST
