S A MURUGANANTHAM

SHRI. S. A. MURUGANANTHAM popularly known as SAM was an Indian politician and former Member of Parliament. He served as the Member of 5^th Lok Sabha (M.P.) from 1971 to 1977 at tirunelveli constituency representing CPI party.

Shri. S. A. Muruganantham's Personal life:

Shri. S. A. Muruganantham was born on April 10, 1924, to  Mr. S. Arumugam and Mrs. A. Muthammal at Tuticorin district. Mr. S. Arumugam carries out textile business near Sivan kovil, tuticorin. S. A. Muruganantham was the 4^th born to his parents after 2 brothers and a sister. He married Mrs. Sornam in 12th September 1953 and the couple gave birth to 4 son and 2 daughters. All of them were residing together as a joint family in Muthammal Illam (his own residence at Bungalow Street, Tuticorin). During his childhood days he used to spend most of his time in playing chess, cinemas, dramas and recreating them.

Shri. S. A. Muruganantham's Adulthood:

Even though he studied till 8^th, he traveled across India, Srilanka and also to Russia for creating awareness about the people’s rights. He joined in Communist Party of India at his 18^th age and took many responsibilities bridging the gap between the government and the public for enhancing the good work to them. He learnt English from thozhar Baladhandayutham and thozhar ramamoorthi in the prison. He lends his effort in journalism by serving as the editor, printer and publisher of the Tamil fortnightly, "Shanthi". The notable publish in Shanthi was a poem by himself titled “ Your memory exist till my heart do” during the death of his mother Muthammal. He was also running a printing press named “Devi”. Right from his adulthood, he made himself available for all kind of social activities in his region and never failed to raise his voice for the people. For which, he had suffered imprisonment 7 times, during the period of 1948 to 1970. He served as the vice - president of All India Port & Dock and Water Front Federation since 1965. He continuously held part in various trade unions such as

(i) Tuticorin Municipal Council during 1952—55,

(ii) National Council of the Communist Party of India,

(iii) Secretariat of the State Council of the Communist Party of India,

(iv) Secretariat of the District Council of the Tirunelveli District of the Communist Party of India and

(v) Regional Advisory Board of Salt (Center) for a period of three years.

Shri. S. A. Muruganantham's Political life:

“Starting from ward councillor to an M.P.”- He proves that hard work & people’s support brings success. In 1971, he was chosen as the MP candidate in 5^th Lok Sabha general election representing the CPI party. He was elected as one among 43 members to lok sabha from tamilnadu by the people of tirunelveli district (constituency number: 36). He was the one in 25 communist party members, which had maximum members only after congress (372). The tirunelveli constituency consists of villathikulam, Ottapidaram, Tirunelveli, Palayamkottai, Srivaikundam and Tuticorin under it (After 2009, there were changes in this list). Shri. S. A. Muruganantham won the lok sabha election by a margin of 59,937 and has gained more than 56% of the total vote casted. (Total vote by the people for him was 2,14,214). He served as M.P. from 1971 to 1977 under the government of Dr.Indira Gandhi. The opposition leader that time was Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He was the first one to raise the voice in parliament to coin tuticorin harbour as “ V. O. C. Harbour” under the name of V.O.Chidambaram. He along with his party members successfully fasted for 13 days against the government for gun firing the farmers in nochikkulam.

The lok sabha speaker, deputy-speaker and secretary general during Mr. S. A. Muruganantham's period are given below.

Speaker	Dr.G.S. Dhillion 22/3/1971 - 1/12/1975	Shri Bali Ram Bhagat 5/1/1976 - 25/3/1977
Deputy - Speaker	Shri G.G.Swell 27/3/1971 - 18/1/1977
Secretary-General	Shri S.L. Shakdher 15-03-1971 - 18-01-1977

It was the time when India won against Pakistan in the liberation war (1971). Despite the victory against Pakistan, the Congress government faced numerous problems during this term. Some of these were due to high inflation which was in turn caused by war time expenses, drought in some parts of the country and more importantly, the 1973 oil crisis. The state of emergency was declared during 1975 - 1977. During the period 1970–77, CPI was allied with the Congress party. After the fall of the regime of Indira Gandhi, CPI reoriented itself towards cooperation with CPI (M).

Meanwhile, in tamilnadu, M. G. Ramachandran left DMK and started his own party ADMK during 1972. After 1977(at 6^th lok sabha election), ADMK was into the frame for the first time in general election. In Tamilnadu, Congress had a alliance with ADMK and CPI. ADMK demanded the tirunelveli constituency, and thus S. A. Muruganantham was not given the opportunity to face the election for CPI party. So, he stood in that election as an independent candidate only for the sake of people's welfare. Unfortunately, he lose in that election and that loss had affected him badly. Only 1435 votes were casted on is camel symbol at 1977 election. On the whole congress alliance met a huge loss and Morarji Desai became the new prime minister. Morarji desai was the first non - congress PM of India. After that he and his family members did not take part in politics. He died in 17 October 1986.

Preparation by : Grandson of SAM (Shri. N. Sakthi Muruganantham)on his 95rd birth anniversary
Kindly let us know about your sweet memories with S.A.Muruganantham