Veerapandi S Arumugam

Veerapandi S Arumugam is the minister for agriculture in the current assembly of Tamil Nadu government, india. He was born in Poolavari, Salem, India on 26 january 1937. He is a long time member of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. [Government of Tamil Nadu [http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/disp_ind.asp?prof_id=289 Veerapandi Arumugam profile] ] His son Veerapandi A. Raja is also a politician and his another son Chezhian expired in year 2002. [ [http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/12/stories/2006051205720500.htm Another pair of father and son in Dravidian politics] ]

Political career

*DMK Member from 1958
*President, Poolavari Panchayat Board, 1958-1976
*President, Poolavari Village Co-operative Thrift Society, 1959-1976
*Chairman, Veerapandi Panchayat Union, 1970-1976
*President, Salem Central Co-operative Bank, 1973-1976;
*Member, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, 1962-1967, 1967-1971, 1971-1976, 1989-1991, 1996-2001; Member, Tamil Nadu Legislative Council, 1978-1984
*Minister for Rural Development and Local Administration, 1989-1990
*Minister for Agriculture, 1990-1991, 1996-2001

Thamaraikani assault

On 22 March 1999, a member of the assembly, Thamaraikani punched Arumugam on his nose during the debate on the State budget, causing bleeding injuries. In the melee that followed, Thamaraikani and one of his colleagues were escorted out of the House. The Assembly voted to suspend them for the rest of the session. Thamaraikani was sentenced to 15 days prison by the speaker of the house. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1608/16080450.htm A stand-off in Tamil Nadu] ]

References