Chennai: Journalist, political analyst and comedian Cho Ramaswamy died on Wednesday at Apollo Hospital here, said an official. He was 82.

A former BJP Rajya Sabha member Ramaswamy was ailing for some time and was in the hospital.

He founded and edited the political magazine Thuglak magazine and was fearless in criticising the ruling government in the state or at the centre.

Ramaswamy had personal rapport with many politicians in the country.

Late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary J. Jayalalithaa was a good friend of Ramaswamy and used to seek his views.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jayalalithaa called on him when he was seriously ill early this year.

A multi-faceted personality Ramaswamy was also a play writer and a stage actor. He has also directed several movies and was also a screen play writer.