Former Cong MP Akkamma Devi passes away

Former Congress MP, Akkamma Devi died at her house in Aruvangadu near here, after prolonged illness, family sources said on Friday.

Akkamma (94), who passed away last night, leaves behind a son and daughter.

She was the first woman MP to represent Nilgiris Lok Sabha constituency in 1962-67 and was chosen by former Tamil Nadu chief minister, the late Kamaraj, to contest from the seat, they said.

She was the first woman from the Badaga community to graduate from college, the sources said.