Chennai, Nov. 8 (PTI): AIADMK presidium chairman and former Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker K Kalimuthu died of a heart attack here today, hospital sources said.

He was 64 and is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters.

Kalimuthu had been suffering from heart ailments and was admitted to Apollo hospitals here 10 days ago. He had not been keeping good health for the past one year.

Family sources said they were yet to decide on the venue of his funeral, which is likely to take place tomorrow.

Kalimuthu was named party candidate for Madurai Central constituency in the assembly polls this year, but was replaced by S K T Jakkiyan at the last moment due to his illness.

A powerful orator and a powerful writer, Kalimuthu, holder of a doctorate in Tamil Literature, had authored more than 100 books in the language.

He was a member of the Tamil Nadu Assembly for five terms and represented Sivakasi in the Lok Sabha from 1989 to 1991.

He was also the deputy general secretary of the party for some time.