OPS visits ailing Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: An All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) delegation led by deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam on Thursday called on ailing Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M Karunanidhi at his residence here.

Panneerselvam and his cabinet colleague D Jayakumar said Karunanidhi was “doing well.” “Karunanidhi will return in good health soon,” Jayakumar said.

Jayakumar said it was political decency for the ruling party to visit Karunanidhi’s residence, adding that a DMK delegation visited the Apollo hospitals here when former chief minister J Jayalalithaa was undergoing treatment in 2016.

The AIADMK delegation, which included ministers S P Velumani and P Thangamani, held discussions with Karunanidhi’s son and working president M K Stalin.

Senior DMK leaders, including Duraimurugan and T R Baalu, were present during the meeting.

“There has been a slight decline in the health of DMK president M Karunanidhi due to age related ailments,” a bulletin issued by Kauvery Hospital Executive Director Dr Aravindan Selvaraj earlier said.

The 94-year-old leader is currently being treated for fever due to urinary tract infection with intravenous antibiotics and fluids.

Meanwhile, as Karunanidhi enters the 50th year as DMK President on Friday the party is asking cadres to celebrate the milestone.

“Let us celebrate the golden jubilee of our leader assuming office as party chief,” 94-year old Karunanidhi’s son and DMK working president M K Stalin said.

In a letter to the party workers, he noted “our beloved” leader shouldered the responsibility of heading the party as its president on July 27, 1969 after the passing away of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founder leader C N Annadurai.

Hailing M Karunanidhi for his ‘tireless’ work in steering the party for half a century, he listed the welfare initiatives launched by his father during his five terms as chief minister.