Chennai: Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge joined DMK leaders in paying tribute to late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi on his 103rd birth anniversary on Wednesday. DMK president M K Stalin, who paid homage at the Karunanidhi memorial, said the darkness clouding Tamil Nadu would be chased away and DMK rule would be brought back.
CM Vijay's Tribute
"On the 103rd birth anniversary of former Chief Minister, Muthamil Arignar Kalaignar M Karunanidhi, I fondly recall his contributions to the Tamil language, literature, film industry, politics, administration, and state rights," said CM Vijay in an X post. "I pay him my respectful tributes," he added.
Government Function
Karunanidhi’s birth anniversary was celebrated as a government function where School Education Minister A Rajmohan paid floral tributes to his statue at Omandurar Hospital in Chennai.
Rahul Gandhi's Remarks
Rahul Gandhi said on X that Karunanidhi dedicated his entire life for Tamils. "Kalaignar M Karunanidhi spent his life fighting for the dignity of the Tamil people, for social justice, and for the rights of the marginalised. Not just a Chief Minister - he was a writer, a poet, a thinker. He believed in a Constitution that treats every Indian as equal," Rahul said.
Rahul’s tribute came as a surprise to DMK members as Congress had parted ways with DMK to join the TVK government after the election.
Kharge's Tribute
"A beloved leader of Tamil Nadu, his lifelong commitment to social justice, equality, rational thought and democratic values transformed countless lives," Kharge’s tribute on X read.
Other Tributes
TNCC President K Selvaperunthagai visited Karunanidhi’s memorial and paid his respects.
Meanwhile, Stalin paid respects at the Karunanidhi memorial on Marina Beach. Later, accompanied by Udhayanidhi Stalin, he visited DMK headquarters, Omandurar Hospital, and the Murasoli office in Chennai, where he garlanded statues of Karunanidhi. He also hoisted the DMK flag at the newly set up 75-feet flagpole in the DMK youth wing headquarters, Anbagam, in Chennai, and unveiled statues of Periyar, former CM C N Annadurai, and Karunanidhi in Anbagam, marking the anniversary.
