DMK MLA K. Rathamani, who represented the Vikravandi constituency, died at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry on Friday following a brief illness. He was 67. He is the sixth MLA of the current House to die midterm. With this, Tamil Nadu is set to witness byelection in two constituencies — Vikravandi and Nanguneri. The vacancy in Nanguneri was caused by the resignation of Congress leader H. Vasanthkumar following his recent election to Parliament from the Kanniyakumari constituency. Mr. Rathamani had served as the presiding chairman of the DMK central district in Villupuram. He was a close aide of DMK heavyweight and former Minister K. Ponmudi. DMK president M.K. Stalin, Mr. Ponmudi, Nilgiris MP A. Raja were among those who paid their respects to Mr. Rathamani at the Jipmer. The body was later taken to his residence at Kalinjikuppam. In his condolence message, Mr. Stalin recalled Mr. Rathamani’s services to the party saying he had performed exceptionally well as the DMK Villupuram district in-charge. He also effectively raised issues pertaining to the Vikravandi constituency in the Assembly.