Breaking Update: Here’s a clear explanation of the latest developments related to Breaking News:R. Nallakannu, veteran CPI leader from Tamil Nadu no more– What Just Happened and why it matters right now.
R. Nallakannu. File
| Photo Credit: R. Ashok
R. Nallakannu, the 101-year-old veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and freedom fighter from Tamil Nadu, passed away in Chennai at 1.55 p.m. on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) following prolonged illness and age-related ailments. He had been admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital since February 1.
Fondly known as ‘Comrade RNK’, he was the only surviving member of the Nellai Conspiracy Case. The centenarian is survived by two daughters, Andal and Kasi Bharathi.
“Over the past 24 hours, there were fluctuations in his health condition. A team of specialists treated him. However, his body’s capacity to respond to medication gradually declined from this morning, and his condition worsened. Despite being in the intensive care unit, his organs failed, and he passed away at 1.55 p.m.,” the hospital superintendent said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
Body to be donated
His body will be kept at the party’s State headquarters ‘Balan Illam’ at T. Nagar in Chennai for the public to pay homage.
CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian said the body will be kept at the party headquarters from 5 p.m. on Wednesday to 3 p.m. on Thursday (February 26). His body will then be taken out in a procession. As per his wish, the body will be donated to Madras Medical College for medical research.
He also said as a mark of respect to the departed leader, the CPI flags will fly at half-mast across Tamil Nadu for a week
In Pictures: Remembering CPI leader R. Nallakannu (1924-2026)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin speaks to veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu during an event organised to celebrate the latter’s 100th birthday in Chennai on December 29, 2024.
Then CPI state secretary R. Nallakannu collecting election fund from the public at Kodambakkam in Chennai on December 9, 2003.
Then CPI candidate for Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat R. Nallakannu campaigning in Coimbatore in 1999. During the General Election that year, he lost to then BJP leader C.P. Radhakrishnan who is now the Vice-President of India
Then Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president E.V.K.S. Elangovan and CPI Leader R. Nallakanu share a light moment at Sathyamurthy Bhavan in Chennai on December 1, 2014.
Then CPI State secretary R. Nallakannu with the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa at the Secretariat in Chennai on January 13, 2005.
Communist Party of India (CPI) leader R. Nallakannu during a protest against the hike in fuel prices in Tiruchi on June 13, 2006.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin giving away the ‘Thagaisal Thamizhar’ award to CPI leader R. Nallakannu during the 75th Independence Day celebrations held at Chennai on August 15, 2022. Nallakannu donated the award’s cash component of ₹10 lakh to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund along with his additional contribution of ₹5,000.
Communist Party of India leader R. Nallakannu coming out of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Bench on September 27, 2010 after arguing a PIL relating to sand quarrying in Thamirabarani river.
R. Nallakannu (second from right), senior leader of Communist Party of India, enquiring about the Paramakudi firing incident at Manjure village in Ramanathapuram district on August 17, 2011.
CPI leader R. Nallakannu addressing during a relay fast demanding a service road along Tiruchi-Thanjavur highway in Tiruchi on July 20, 2017.
R. Nallakannu, CPI leader, listening to farmers and residents at a sand quarry on the banks of the Coleroon near Anbil in Tiruchi district on August 26, 2011.
Communist Party of India leader R. Nallakannu addressing the members of the Vijaya Hospital Nurses’ Union during their protest in Chennai June 3, 2012
CPI leaders T. Pandian (left) and R. Nallakannu (right) at the State conference against caste clashes, at Salem in Tamil Nadu on January 8, 2013.
R. Nallakannu, senior CPI leader at Madurai on March 12, 2015.
R. Nallakannu with former BJP state president La. Ganesan on December 20, 2014
CPI leader R. Nallakannu addressing at a protest demonstration against the US policies, during U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to India, near Panagal building in Chennai on November 8, 2010.
R. Nallakannu, leader of Communist Party of India (CPI), looking at the damaged paddy in the rain-affected areas at Arasur in Thanjavur district on December 5, 2010.
CPI(M) leader N. Sankaraiah (right) addressing State-level conference of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) in Dindigul on December 31, 2015, in the presence of veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss (centre) with CPI leader R. Nallakannu (left) and Viduthlai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan at a function in Chennai on April 27, 2008.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko (left) and CPI leader R. Nallakannu at a book release function in Chennai on May 2, 2008
1/3
Published – February 25, 2026 02:44 pm IST