<p>Puducherry: Former Speaker of Puducherry Assembly P Kannan passed away at a private hospital here after prolonged illness.</p>.<p>He was 74 and is survived by wife, a son and daughter, family sources said.</p>.<p>In a release, the hospital where he was treated said, Kannan was suffering from viral pneumonia. It was also stated that he was suffering from chronic lung disease for more than half a decade.</p>.<p>Chief Minister N Rangasamy condoled the death of Kannan and said he had contributed a lot for the welfare of the people and also to relieve the youth of menace of unemployment when he was a Minister in Puducherry.</p>.<p>He termed the death of Kannan as an 'irreparable loss.' The CM conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.</p>.<p>Kannan had served in different capacities either as a Minister, Speaker, and Member of Rajya Sabha from Puducherry.</p>.<p>After breaking away from the Congress in 1990s, he joined the Tamil Maanila Congress floated by late leader G K Moopanar. Subsequently, he floated a state level political party called Puducherry Makkal Congress here.</p>.<p>He rejoined the Congress in 2009 and became Rajya Sabha MP. After quitting the Congress he joined the AIADMK in 2021. He joined the BJP and left the party a few months ago.</p>.<p>Speaker of Puducherry R Selvam, Home Minister of Union Territory A Namassivayam and other Ministers, legislators and delegates of different political parties and various organisations were among those who paid their respect to the departed leader.</p>.<p>Official sources told <em>PTI</em> that the mortal remains of Kannan would be consigned to flames with state honours in the crematorium in neighbouring Karuvadikuppam in the afternoon. </p>
<p>Puducherry: Former Speaker of Puducherry Assembly P Kannan passed away at a private hospital here after prolonged illness.</p>.<p>He was 74 and is survived by wife, a son and daughter, family sources said.</p>.<p>In a release, the hospital where he was treated said, Kannan was suffering from viral pneumonia. It was also stated that he was suffering from chronic lung disease for more than half a decade.</p>.<p>Chief Minister N Rangasamy condoled the death of Kannan and said he had contributed a lot for the welfare of the people and also to relieve the youth of menace of unemployment when he was a Minister in Puducherry.</p>.<p>He termed the death of Kannan as an 'irreparable loss.' The CM conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.</p>.<p>Kannan had served in different capacities either as a Minister, Speaker, and Member of Rajya Sabha from Puducherry.</p>.<p>After breaking away from the Congress in 1990s, he joined the Tamil Maanila Congress floated by late leader G K Moopanar. Subsequently, he floated a state level political party called Puducherry Makkal Congress here.</p>.<p>He rejoined the Congress in 2009 and became Rajya Sabha MP. After quitting the Congress he joined the AIADMK in 2021. He joined the BJP and left the party a few months ago.</p>.<p>Speaker of Puducherry R Selvam, Home Minister of Union Territory A Namassivayam and other Ministers, legislators and delegates of different political parties and various organisations were among those who paid their respect to the departed leader.</p>.<p>Official sources told <em>PTI</em> that the mortal remains of Kannan would be consigned to flames with state honours in the crematorium in neighbouring Karuvadikuppam in the afternoon. </p>