Chennai: Former Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha Vasanthi Stanley of the DMK passed away at a private hospital here on Saturday evening. She was 56 and survived by an adopted son.
Vasanthi had represented DMK and Tamil Nadu in the Rajya Sabha for six years during 2008-14. She had been keeping unwell for some time and was admitted to hospital for treatment.
Hailing from Devakottai in Sivagangai district, Vasanthi had her education at the Madurai Kamaraj University and thereafter at the Dr Ambedkar Law University in Chennai. She was working as assistant commissioner in the commercial taxes department when she quit government service to join the DMK, drawn by the party ideals and its leader M. Karunanidhi's fiery speeches. She later became a familiar face in TV debates representing her party and also in Rajya Sabha proceedings.
DMK president M K Stalin paid respects to the departed colleague at her home in the city. He was accompanied by his wife and several party functionaries. “I am shocked at her demise. She was a poet, writer and an enthusiastic speaker who took the DMK ideals to the people. She was a DMK warrior. Her death is a great loss not only to her family but also to the party”, Stalin told reporters.
Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi said on twitter: “A friend and party colleague Vasanthy Stanley passed away. She will be missed a lot. A woman full of life and strength. She never gave up. It is a shock to me and the women's wing that a woman fondly remembered will no longer be with us.”
Friends said Vasanthy wanted to campaign for Kanimozhi in Thoothukudi, where the latter was the DMK candidate in the April 18 Parliament poll. Ill health kept her confined to bed at home.
