DRAVIDIAN SUN SETS
Fivetime Tamil Nadu CM breathes his last; mourners throng Chennai streets; leaders across parties pay tributes
India’s oldest and senior-most politician, former Tamil Nadu chief minister and the supreme leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), M Karunanidhi, died on Tuesday at the age of 94, marking the end of an era in the state’s often tempestuous politics.
Karunanidhi had been suffering from fever and infection. He was admitted to the hospital on July 28 and his condition worsened on Monday. A big crowd had been thronging the streets outside the hospital since his hospitalisation but it swelled to about 6,500 people on Tuesday after doctors said he had suffered a “significant decline”.
“With deep anguish, we announce the demise of our beloved Kalaignar M Karunanidhi at 6.20pm,” the Kauvery Hospital said. “Despite the best possible efforts by a team of doctors and nurses to resuscitate him, he failed to respond.”
Supporters and chanted the leader’s name as hundreds of policemen struggled to contain the surging crowds pressing against barricades after Karunanidhi’s death was announced on Tuesday. A security alert was sounded across Tamil Nadu, bearing in mind the outbreaks of violence in the past over the deaths of popular figures in the state. After the Tamil Nadu government’s request of 15 CRPF companies to ensure security, the Union home ministry deployed 13 companies in the state.
The news of the 94-year-old leader’s death sparked messages of condolence from a range of national figures.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish. In a series of tweets, 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 marginalized.”
“Kalaignar Karunanidhi stood for regional aspirations as well as national progress,” Modi said. He is scheduled to travel to Chennai on Wednesday morning to pay his last respects to Karunanidhi.
He stood for regional aspirations as well as national progress .... He ensured TN was heard NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister Kalaignar strode the stage of Tamil politics, like a colossus... India has lost a great son RAHUL GANDHI, Congress president None will ever be like him, but his ideals and discipline will run as a perennial river in our blood MK STALIN, DMK working president