Karunanidhi remembered on his 103rd birth anniversary

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 Karunanidhi memorial said the darkness clouding Tamil Nadu would be chased away and DMK rule would be brought back.“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 said.Karunanidhi’s birth anniversary was celebrated as a govt function where School education minister A Rajmohan paid floral tributes to his statue in Omandurar hospital, Chennai.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 men as Congress had parted ways with DMK to join the TVK govt after the election. . “A beloved leader of Tamil Nadu, his lifelong commitment to social justice, equality, rational thought and democratic values transformed countless lives,” Kharge’s rich tribute on X read.TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai visited Karunanidhi’s memorial and paid respect to him.Meanwhile, Stalin paid respects at Karunanidhi memorial in Marina beach. Later, accompanied by Udhayanidhi Stalin, he visited DMK headquarters, Omandurar hospital and Murasoli office in Chennai where he garlanded the statues of Karunanidhi. He also hoisted the DMK flag at the newly set up 75-feet flagpole in DMK youth wing headquarters, Anbagam, in Chennai, and unveiled the statues of Periyar, former CM C N Annadurai and Karunanidhi in Anbagam, marking the anniversary.