P. Ramamoorthy, the former Member of Parliament whose political courage once put him face-to-face with Tamil Nadu giant K. Kamaraj, has died. He was 93.

Ramamoorthy passed away peacefully at his home in Sattur, Virudhunagar district, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. He leaves behind his wife, four sons, and a daughter. His funeral is set for Wednesday in his hometown.

Key facts

  • Died September 1, 2026, at age 93 in Sattur
  • Former MP for Sivakasi (1967–1971)
  • Challenged CM K. Kamaraj in 1962 election
  • Won Lok Sabha seat with 1.94 lakh votes in 1967

A Young Challenger Steps Forward

In 1962, a 29-year-old Ramamoorthy did the unthinkable: he volunteered to run against the then Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, a political titan many considered unbeatable. Though he lost, his bold move earned deep respect within his party, the Swatantra Party, and marked him as a figure of principle and nerve.

Parliament and Principles

Five years later, that courage paid off. The party fielded him from the Sivakasi Lok Sabha constituency—and he won, securing nearly 194,000 votes and defeating his Congress rival by over 31,000. He served as MP until 1971, when he made another principled stand: quitting electoral politics after his party’s leadership decided to ally with Kamaraj, a move he couldn’t reconcile with the party’s anti-Congress stance.

“His hands were clean,” Ramamoorthy said of Kamaraj in an interview earlier this year, reflecting years later. “He was a good man, having done much for the State.”

Legacy of Integrity

Even after leaving politics, Ramamoorthy remained a respected voice—a man who stood by his convictions without personal malice. His passing closes a chapter in Tamil Nadu’s political history, one defined by earnest debate and respectful opposition.