POLITICAL LEADERS FLOCK TO KARUNA’S RESIDENCE

CHENNAI: Political leaders cutting across party lines made a beeline for the residence of DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) president M Karunanidhi on Friday, who is being treated for fever, even as his son and party working chief M K Stalin, said the condition of his father is improving.

Friday also marked a personal milestone for the 94-year-old DMK president who completed 50 years at the helm of his party.

“There is good improvement in his health, the fever and infection is receding,” Stalin told reporters. President Ram Nath Govind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi enquired about the DMK chief’s health.

The president tweeted: “Spoke to Thiru Karunanidhi’s family members on the phone and inquired about his health. Wishing the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, a veteran of our public life, a quick recovery #Presidentkovind.

Modi also wished him a quick recovery. “Spoke to Thiru @mkstalin and Kanimozhi Ji. Enquired about the health of Kalaignar Karunanidhi Ji and offered any assistance required. I pray for his quick recovery and good health. @kalaignar89 (sic),” the prime minister tweeted.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja also and we hope he will be able to meet everyone soon,” he said in another tweet.

Kauvery Hospital said in its a bulletin last night, “There has been a slight decline in the health of the DMK president M Karunanidhi due to age-related ailments.” Karunanidhi has been not keeping well since October 2016, and some days ago he had undergone a procedure to change his tracheostomy tube, which assisted in breathing.

Stalin had on Wednesday said Karunanidhi was suffering from fever and doctors were providing medication. He assured people that there was nothing to worry about the leader’s health. As anxious cadres, political leaders, film personalities and well-wishers thronged the nonagenarian leader’s Gopalapuram residence, more police personnel and barricades were put up to regulate the crowd. Several well-wishers also took to Twitter and other social media platforms to wish Karunanidhi well. Thanking the president and prime minister, Stalin tweeted: “I am extremely grateful for their offers of help. Thalaivar is getting the best medical care and treatment. We hope he will recover soon and thank everyone in his own words.”