Dravadion icon,Kalaignar Muthuvel Karunanidhi, DMK patriarch and Ex-Tamil Nadu CM, dead at 94.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)’s longest-serving chief and five-time Tamil Nadu chief minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi, 94, passed away on Tuesday at 6:10 pm. He was rushed to the hospital early on the morning of July 28 after his health deteriorated. He was being treated for fever and urinary tract infection and had to be moved from his Gopalapuram residence to Kauvery hospital at the end of July.
As news of his demise spread, the state plunged into grief. DMK workers could be seen sobbing and wailing on the streets of Chennai. The state government has declared seven days of mourning.
With Kauvery Hospital’s medical bulletin released at 4:30 pm on Tuesday saying that the DMK chief’s condition was “extremely critical”, thousands of party cardre gathered around the hospital, adding to the already large numbers of people present there.There has been significant decline in the clinical condition of Kalaignar Dr.M.Karunanidhi over the last few hours. Despite maximum medical support, his vital organ functions continue to deteriorate. His condition is extremely critical and unstable,” the medical update at 4:30 pm said.
On Monday evening, in a health bulletin, the hospital had said that there had been a “decline” in his health.
DMK working president and Karunanidhi’s son M K Stalin and senior party leaders including the departed leader’s second son M K Azhagiri, former Union ministers Dayanidhi Maran and A.Raja, and members of the extended family had been continuously monitoring the ailing patriarch’s health ever since it took a turn for the worse, and urging hordes of supporters gathering at the hospital to maintain calm.
Three person died of heart attack after hearing the news of Kalaignar karunanidhi no more in Chennai.
Police resorted to lathi charge to control the crowd.
Protest erupted across state after his demise.
All divisions across karnataka stopped operations to Tamilnadu.Kerala via mysore we are operating via Salem we have stopped it also.About 150 to 160 bus operations during night times towards tamilnadu.The buses operated today to Tamilnadu will be stayed back in Tamilnadu with police protection, our crew also suitably guided and took necessary action said by KSRTC official.
Karunanidhi strode the political landscape of Tamil Nadu for more than five decades.He entered politics at the age of 14 and was inspired by Alagiriswamii of the Justice Party. He started Murasoli, the official newspaper of the party for the student community in Tamil Nadu, and later became famous as a screenwriter before entering into serious politics.
The DMK patriarch recently completed 50 years as party president.
Karunanidhi had been unwell since October 2016 and recently underwent surgery to change his tracheostomy tube, in order to help him breathe better. Stalin had earlier said that his father Karunanidhi was suffering from fever, and adding that there was nothing to worry about.
Karunanidhi’s body will be kept at his Gopalapuram residence till 1 am before taken to Rajaji Hall via the CIT Colony Residence of his daughter Kanimozhi.
“Condolences poured in by President Of India Prime Minister of India and other leaders”.
President of India,Ramnath Kovind said, Extremely sad to learn of the passing of Thiru M. Karunanidhi.A doyen of our public life, as a contributor to the development of Tamil Nadu and of India he has few peers. Our country is poorer today.My condolences to his family and millions of well-wishers he tweeted.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi said,Deeply saddened by the passing away of Kalaignar Karunanidhi.He was one of the senior most leaders of India.
We have lost a deep-rooted mass leader, prolific thinker, accomplished writer and a stalwart whose life was devoted to the welfare of the poor and the marginalised.
Kalaignar Karunanidhi stood for regional aspirations as well as national progress. He was steadfastly committed to the welfare of Tamils and ensured that Tamil Nadu’s voice was effectively heard.
I have had the opportunity of interacting with Karunanidhi Ji on several occasions. His understanding of policy and emphasis on social welfare stood out. Firmly committed to democratic ideals, his strong opposition to the Emergency will always be remembered.
My thoughts are with the family and the countless supporters of Karunanidhi Ji in this hour of grief. India and particularly Tamil Nadu will miss him immensely. May his soul rest in peace he tweeted.
Expressing grief over DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi’s death, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda today said he has lost his elder brother.
The nation has lost a stalwart, Gowda said in his condolence message, recalling his association with theformer Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for over five decades.
Karunanidhi’s role in me becoming the Prime Minister was huge,the former Prime Minister said, adding that his death is a great loss to the country and personally for him.
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said in Karunanidhi’s death,we have lost a unique personality in Indian politics, and Tamil Nadu a visionary leader.
Terming him a “legend”, the chief minister said”Karunanidhi strived for the development of Tamil Nadu throughout his life and built a stronghold for regional party DMK.”
“I had met him several times. Every time he made me understand the importance of regional parties.The popular schemes he implemented for the downtrodden people are replicated in various states today,” Kumaraswamy added.
Deputy chief minister and Home Minister of karnataka,Dr.G.Parameshwara tweeted, The last of the leaders who could command respect and admiration of his entire state. A national phenomenon for his steadfast commitment to rights and self-respect of Indian people. His death has left a huge void in Tamil and Indian polity. My respects to #KalaignarKarunanidhi he tweeted.
Former chief minister siddaramaiah said,
Saddened by the death of Tamilnadu former Chief Minister and icon of social justice M.Karunanidhi.
My deepest condolences to the family of M. Karunanidhi. Great loss for the nation and especially for Tamilnadu
#RIPKalaignar he tweeted.
State BJP chief and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said a leader, who served Tamil Nadu as chief minister five times, Karunanidhi would always remain in the minds and hearts of thepeople.
Yeddyurappa recalled Karunanidhi’s contribution in fostering the bond between people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu by installing Kannada poet and philosopher Sarvajna’s statue in Chennai and unveiling Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar’s statue in Bengaluru during his ChiefMinistership he added.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao also expressed grief:
“Express my deepest condolences on the demise of #KalaignarKarunanidhi. A towering personality in Tamil Nadu politics who also played a significant role at the national level. A true inheritor of the Dravidian movement.
TN politicswill never be the same again.
#RIP,” he said in a tweet.
Sports world pays tribute to Kalignar Karunanidhi:
While the state mourns the death of the veteran leader, several sports personalities came forward to give a tribute to the 94-year old, whose health had started deteriorating in October 2016. Among the sports stars were cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin and chess legend Vishwanathan Anand.
Bihar govt announces two-day state mourning to pay respect to Karunanidhi:
Bihar government has announced a two-day state mourning in the wake of passing away of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi. CM Nitish Kumar said that the DMK leader always kept democratic values at the top and his work for the upliftment of backward classes will always be remembered.
Foreign dignitaries pay tribute to Karunanidhi:
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today mourned the death of DMK chief N Karunanidhi. “I am deeply saddened by the death of former Chief Minister and senior political leader Karunanidhi,” he said in a tweet, extending his condolences to the bereaved family and party cadres. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, in a tweet, said, “Karunanidhi will be remembered for years of public service to the state.”
Mamata Banerjee reaches Gopalapuram residence of Karunanidhi to pay final tributes:
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has reached the Gopalapuram residence of late Karunanidhi to pay her final tributes to Kalaignar. She is the first political leaders to reach Chennai
Rajinikanth arrives at Gopalapuram residence of Karunanidhi to pay his last respect:
“Karunanidhi death: Row erupts over burial of DMK chief at Marina Beach”.
Supporters mourn Karunanidhi’s demise, demand resting place at Marina.
Petitioners says burial spot at Marina does not fall under CRZ:
Lawyer Duraiswamy withdrawing his petition said that the burial spot sought by the DMK for Karunanidhi was behind Anna Samadhi and does not fall under the coastal regulation zone. However without considering it the Chief Secretary rejected the demand, says DMK lawyer outside the residence of ACJ, Madras High Court.
Duraiswamy blames TN CS for not verifying facts:
Petitioner Duraiswamy who had filed the plea in the Court to stop any burial at the Marina beach withdrawing his plea blamed Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan for using the Coastal Regulation Zone violation PIL filed by him to prevent Karunanidhi from being buried next to Anna Samadhi.
M Karunanidhi and his leadership of the Dravidian movement shaped the politics of supporters and opponents:
DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi leaves behind a legacy unparalleled in Indian politics. His death brings an era to a close in Tamil Nadu. The imprint of the five-time chief minister and legislator for over six decades is visible on almost every aspect of Tamil public life,politics, public administration, cinema, literature. The ideals of the Dravidian Movement formed the bedrock of Karunanidhi’s politics. The main features of the Movement were its strong anti-caste agenda, federalism and the privileging of Tamil identity.
Can I call you ‘Appa’ atleast now, Chief? An emotional Stalin, son of Karunanidhi tweets.
Mortal remains of Karunanidhi to be soon taken to CIT Colony:
While the hearing over DMK petition demanding burial spot for its late leader Karunanidhi at Marina Beach continues at the residence of Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court, his mortal remains will soon be shifted from the Gopalapuram residence to Rajaji Hall via the CIT Colony Residence of his daughter Kanimozhi.
Hearing over DMK petition adjourned till 8 Am on Wednesday morning:
Hearing over burial spot for Karunanidhi at Marina Beach adjourned till 8 am on Wednesday morning. The hearing was underway at the residence of Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court.
Karunanidhi’s mortal remains being taken to CIT colony:
Karunanidhi’s mortal remains being taken to CIT colony residence where it will be kept till 3 Am and will be shifted to Rajaji hall at 4 in the morning. An emotional M K Stalin can be seen leading the proceedings in Chennai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi,Rahul Gandhi,Mamata Banerjee, K Chandrashekar Rao, Arvind Kejriwal,Kumaraswamy,Dr.G. Parameshwara and Pinarayi Vijayan are among the leaders who will pay last respects to the Dravidian stalwart.
DMK chief M. Karunanidhi was 44 when he took over as Chief Minister after the death of his mentor C.N. Annadurai. His first term lasted till January 4, 1971.
