M. Arunachalam (4 March 1944 – 21 January 2004), was an Indian politician and Union Minister. Arunachalam did his B.L. from Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai and he did his pre-university course from V.O. Chidambaram College at Thoothukudi, and got graduated from St.Xaviers college, Palayamkottai, had pursued his post-graduation from Gandhigram University, Dindigul. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Tenkasi constituency for six times continuously. He was elected as an Indian National Congress candidate in 1977, 1980, 1984, 1989 and 1991 elections and as a Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) candidate in 1996 election.

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M. Arunachalam
அருணாச்சலம்
M.Arunachalam, 1944-2004
Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers
In office June 1997–December 1997
Prime Minister	Inder Kumar Gujral
Constituency	Tenkasi
Minister of Labour and Employment
In office August 1996–May 1997
Prime Minister	H. D. Deve Gowda
Constituency	Tenkasi
Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs
In office 1996
Prime Minister	H.D. Deve Gowda
Constituency	Tenkasi
Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
In office 1993–1995
Prime Minister	P. V. Narasimha Rao
Constituency	Tenkasi
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs
In office 1991–1993
Prime Minister	P. V. Narasimha Rao
Constituency	Tenkasi
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry
In office 1985–1989
Prime Minister	Rajiv Gandhi
Constituency	Tenkasi
Member of Union Committee on Subordinate Legislation
In office January 1990 to September 1990
Prime Minister	Rajiv Gandhi
Constituency	Tenkasi
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office 1977–1998
Preceded by	A. M. C.Nellachami
Succeeded by	S. Murugesan
President of Tamilnadu Youth Congress
In office 1977–1981
District Youth Congress Secretary, Tirunelveli District
In office 1972–1977
Personal details
Born	03-03-1944 Vellanaikottai, Tinnevely District Madras Presidency, British Raj (now Tamil Nadu, India)
Died	21-01-2004 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Political party	Indian National Congress (1966-1996) and (2002-2004)Tamil Maanila Congress (1996-2002)
Spouse	Amala Arunachalam ​ (m. 1974)​
Children	Mohan Arunachalam, Sangeetha, Priya, Deepan Arunachalam
Residence(s)	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Website
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M.Arunachalam was born on 4 March 1944 to Mr.Moockiah and Mrs.Muthammal in Vellanaikottai village, in the Tenkasi district of Tamilnadu. He did his pre-university course from V.O.Chidambram College Tuticorin, graduated from St.Xaviers college, Palayamkottai, had his post-graduation from Gandhigram University, Dindugul, and Bachelor of Law from Law College, Chennai.

After he got his law degree, his ambition of becoming a lawyer was fulfilled. He started his career as a junior advocate under T.S. Ramanatha Iyer – a straightforward, upright person with Gandhian principles who was called ‘Tiger of the bar’ in Tenkasi. By sheer hard work and perseverance, he had a roaring practice, soon he established an office for himself and expanded it with four colleagues and two juniors. He was selected for the post of Munsif for Pondicherry Sessions court, which he did not want to join.

He was married to Amala in 1974 and has 4 children namely: Mohan Arunachalam, Sangeetha, Priya, Deepan Arunachalam

As a mere party volunteer, he was Youth Congress Secretary in Tirunelveli (District Congress Committee). In 1977 he first contested, won and became the Member of Parliament from Tenkasi constituency and continued to hold the seat till 1998. He was also appointed as Union Cabinet Minister for 3 times and State Minister for 3 times in his political career.

M. Arunachalam died of cardiac arrest on 21 January 2004 in Chennai at the age of 60.

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