Dalit Ezhilmalai, ex-veteran NFPE leader from TN Circle and former Union Health Minister in the Vajpayee Cabinet expired on 06.05.2020

Dalit Ezhilmalai, ex-veteran NFPE leader from TN Circle and former Union Health Minister in the Vajpayee Cabinet expired on 06.05.2020

Former Union Health Minister Dalit Ezhilmalai, in the Vajpayee Cabinet, and Veteran NFPE leader from TN Circle , died at his residence on the outskirts of Chennai in the early hours of this day viz 6.5 2020. 

He was 74. He is survived by wife, three daughters and a son. One of his daughter Smt Ezhil Rosalin is now working at Chennai GPO and also serving as the President of TNCPC Bank. According to his family, the end came suddenly as he did not have any apparent illness. The funeral will take place on this day evening.

Mr. Ezhilmalai (named as Ezhumalai while in service) served the erstwhile Post & Telegraph Department between 1963 and 1987 . During this period, he was sent on deputation to the Army for five years up to 1974. He took part in the Indo- Pakistan War of 1971 and was a recipient of Sainik Sewa Medal from the President for meritorious service in the Army. He served in the Dept mostly from Chennai GPO. 

Even while in the Government service, he held key positions in the National Federation of Postal Employees . He was the close associate of our leaders Com. KVS, R.V., and Ethirajan and functioned as a team. He was a good orator and knows several languages. 

After the formation of the Pattali Makkal Katchi in 1989, he joined the party and became its general secretary. In the 1998 Lok Sabha election, he was elected from the Chidambaram (reserved) constituency when the PMK contested the poll as part of the AIADMK-led coalition. In March 1998, he was made Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare with independent charge. During his position as Minister and afterwards M.P., he helped a lot for the cause of postal workers. 

However, in August 1999, he quit the PMK as he was denied the party nomination to contest again from the constituency. Later, he joined the AIADMK.

In 2001, when the by-election to the Tiruchy Lok Sabha constituency took place, he was again elected to the House. His victory became noteworthy as he had scored success in a general constituency, an uncommon feature. 

For long, he had maintained a low profile, though he continued in the AIADMK and remained an admirer of former Chief Minister J.Jayalalita. 

IPROA record our deepest condolences on the sad demise of the leader and praying for his soul to rest in peace .