Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister E M Sudarsana Natchiappan passed away at his residence on Thursday at the age of 79 following a brief illness.
Natchiappan served as Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry between 2013 and 2014, and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Sivaganga in 1999.
His last rites are scheduled to be held at 3 pm on Friday in Ervadi in Sivaganga district, according to announcements by party leaders.