# M. Arunachalam (politician)

M. Arunachalam (4 March 1944 – 21 January 2004), was an Indian politician and Union Minister. Arunachalam did his B.L. from Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai and he did his pre-university course from V.O. Chidambaram College at Thoothukudi, and got graduated from St.Xaviers college, Palayamkottai, had pursued his post-graduation from Gandhigram University, Dindigul. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Tenkasi constituency for six times continuously. He was elected as an Indian National Congress candidate in 1977, 1980, 1984, 1989 and 1991 elections and as a Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) candidate in 1996 election.

## Career and personal life

M.Arunachalam was born on 4 March 1944 to Mr.Moockiah and Mrs.Muthammal in Vellanaikottai village, in the Tenkasi district of Tamilnadu. He did his pre-university course from V.O.Chidambram College Tuticorin, graduated from St.Xaviers college, Palayamkottai, had his post-graduation from Gandhigram University, Dindugul, and Bachelor of Law from Law College, Chennai.
After he got his law degree, his ambition of becoming a lawyer was fulfilled. He started his career as a junior advocate under T.S. Ramanatha Iyer – a straightforward, upright person with Gandhian principles who was called ‘Tiger of the bar’ in Tenkasi. By sheer hard work and perseverance, he had a roaring practice, soon he established an office for himself and expanded it with four colleagues and two juniors. He was selected for the post of Munsif for Pondicherry Sessions court, which he did not want to join.
He was married to Amala in 1974 and has 4 children namely: Mohan Arunachalam, Sangeetha, Priya, Deepan Arunachalam

## Political career

As a mere party volunteer, he was Youth Congress Secretary in Tirunelveli (District Congress Committee). In 1977 he first contested, won and became the Member of Parliament from Tenkasi constituency and continued to hold the seat till 1998. He was also appointed as Union Cabinet Minister for 3 times and State Minister for 3 times in his political career.

## Lok Sabha elections

| Elections | Constituency | Party | Result | Vote percentage | Opposition Candidate | Opposition Party | Opposition vote percentage |
| 1977 Indian general election | Tenkasi | INC | Won | 67.6 | Rajagopalan S | INC(O) | 26.2 |
| 1980 Indian general election | Tenkasi | INC | Won | 53.4 | Rajagopalan S | JP | 36.6 |
| 1984 Indian general election | Tenkasi | INC | Won | 64.7 | R.Krishnan | CPM | 30.3 |
| 1989 Indian general election | Tenkasi | INC | Won | 62.5 | R.Krishnan | CPM|INC(O) | 35.04 |
| 1991 Indian general election | Tenkasi | INC | Won | 63.56 | T. Sadhan Tirumalaikumar | DMK | 33.24 |
| 1996 Indian general election | Tenkasi | TMC | Won | 44.98 | Selvaraj.V | INC | 30.14 |
| 1998 Indian general election | Tenkasi | TMC | Lost | 26.77 | S. Murugesan | AIADMK | 41.84 |

### Positions held

* 1972–1977: was appointed as District Youth Congress Secretary, Tirunelveli District
* 1977–1981: was appointed as President – Tamil Nadu Youth Congress
* 1977-1980: was Elected to Lok Sabha (Sixth) for the 1st time
* 1980-1984: was Elected to Lok Sabha (Seventh) for the 2nd time
* 1984-1989: was Elected to Lok Sabha (Eighth) for the 3rd time
* 1985-1989: Minister of State, Industries
* 1989-1991: was Elected to Lok Sabha (Ninth) for the 4th time
* January 1990–September 1990: was appointed as Member of Committee on Subordinate Legislation
* 1991-1996: was Elected to Lok Sabha (Tenth) for the 5th time
* 1991-1993: Minister of State, Urban Development
* 1993-1995: Minister of State, Small Scale and Agro Industries
* 1996-1998: was Elected to Lok Sabha (Eleventh) for the 6th time
* a few months in 1996: Cabinet minister for Urban Development and Employment
* August 1996-May 1997: Cabinet minister for Ministry of Labour
* June 1997-December 1997: Cabinet minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers

## Death

M. Arunachalam died of cardiac arrest on 21 January 2004 in Chennai at the age of 60.