V. Balan — former Puducherry nominated legislator and general secretary of All India N R Congress — died on July 27, 2020, days after he tested for COVID-19, at a private hospital.
Director of Health and Family Welfare S. Mohan Kumar, said the 68-year-old leader was admitted to the hospital last week with symptoms of novel coronavirus. He was undergoing treatment at the hospital after he tested positive. Mr. Balan, who had co-morbid conditions, was put on a ventilator two day ago, after his condition worsened, but died on Monday.
Mr. Balan was nominated to the Legislative Assembly during the fag-end of the previous N. R Congress government. After serving Congress from his student days, he quit his parent party when former Chief Minister N. Rangasamy floated the AINRC in 2011. He was considered second in-command of the party and the political conscience-keeper of Mr. Rangasamy.