Former DMK Minister Rahman Khan, who was one of the closest aides of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK stalwart Karunanidhi, has died due to cardiac arrest on Thursday in Chennai at the age of 75.

Rahman Khan was the prominent face in the party's minority wing and known for his oratory skills in the legislative assembly and on the political stages. A native of Cumbum in Theni district, Rahman Khan was elected to the assembly for five times as the DMK MLA and he won Chepauk legislative constituency in Chennai for the three consecutive times in 1977, 1980, and 1984 and through the hat-trick victory, he became one of the powerful and significant leaders in the Dravidian party. 

He was elected to the assembly for the fourth time in 1989 from Chennai's Park town constituency and for the fifth time in 1996 from Ramanathapuram constituency. When Karunanidhi was the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in 1996, Rahman Khan had served as the state's labor welfare minister and he had also served as the Revenue Minister. 

Following his ministership, he went on to serve as the Vice-Chairman for National Small Savings Scheme and he held the post for two terms. At the party, besides being one of the prominent faces of the minority wing, Rahman Khan was one of the members of the party's executive committee and he also served as the Chief spokesperson of the party during his active political career. 

He contested for the legislative assembly eight times in DMK ticket and ended up winning five times. During his tenure as the legislator, he was one of the toughest MLAs for the ADMK party and he had posed severe questions to ADMK's Chief Minister MGR in the assembly. Though he belongs to Theni, he had never contested elections from his home state and largely focused in Chennai. 

His victory in the 1996 elections was the last one following which he kept a low profile in politics and he was also known for his articles that he published in Tamil and English newspapers and magazines and he also took part in the anti-Hindi protests organized by DMK.  

கழகத்தின் இடி முழக்கம், மாணவப் பருவத்திலேயே போர்ப்பரணி பாடிய அண்ணன் ரகுமான்கானை இழந்து தவிக்கிறேன். அவர் தந்த ஆலோசனைகள் அட்சயபாத்திரம். அவரது மூச்சு நின்றாலும் அவரின் எழுத்தும், பேச்சும் என்றும் நம் கண்களிலேயே நிற்கும்!

அண்ணனின் மறைவிற்கு கனத்த இதயத்துடன் என் ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கல். pic.twitter.com/FAXYhXWz2e

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) August 20, 2020

Recently he was tested positive for the COVID-19 viral infection and he was moved to a private hospital in Chennai further treatments. However, he suffered a cardiac arrest and declared dead in the morning hours of Thursday at the age of 75. According to the reports, his last rites will be taking place on Thursday evening as per the protocols. DMK leaders have been placing their condolences for the deceased leader. Rahman Khan has become a second political figure in the state to succumb to the viral infection after DMK's J Anbalagan who died on June 10. DMK President Stalin said that the party's flag at the offices would fly at half-mast due to the demise of the veteran leader.