Chennai: Chief Minister MK Stalin, along with ministers and members of the DMK party, came together to pay tribute to the late former Chief Minister Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi on his fifth death anniversary. The event was observed yesterday throughout Tamil Nadu, with various ceremonies held to honor the iconic leader.
Chief Minister Stalin began the day by offering floral tributes to a picture of Karunanidhi that was placed under his statue in front of the Omandurar Campus on Anna Road, Chennai. A peaceful rally led by Stalin proceeded through Walaja Road, concluding at Anna Square on Kamaraj Road. Along the route, people gathered to pay their respects and show their admiration for the late leader.
At Anna Square, Chief Minister Stalin paid his respects by placing a wreath at the Karunanidhi memorial. DMK General Secretary Duraimurugan, Treasurer DR Balu, and Ministers Nehru, Ponmudi, Udayanidhi, along with MP Kanimozhi, were also in attendance.
Apart from the main event in Chennai, Karunanidhi’s residence in Gopalapuram and CIT Colony, as well as the DMK party office in Vithalayam, also conducted ceremonies to honor the memory of the revered leader. A wreath was laid at Karunanidhi’s image in each location, symbolizing the deep impact he had on the lives of the people he served.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, DMK MP Kanimozhi shared an exclusive interview with Karunanidhi from 2006, when he took over as Chief Minister, on her social media page. The interview provided a glimpse into the visionary leader’s thoughts and aspirations for the state of Tamil Nadu.
Chief Minister Stalin expressed his admiration and respect for Karunanidhi by issuing a statement titled ‘Time to fulfill your dreams’. The statement highlighted Karunanidhi’s dedication to public service and emphasized the determination to continue his legacy and work towards realizing the dreams he had for the people.
In a touching gesture of solidarity, former Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi paid their respects to Karunanidhi by offering flowers to his portrait at the DMK office in the Parliament in New Delhi. Present at the ceremony were members of both the DMK and Congress parties, signifying the continued alliance and camaraderie between the two political entities.
DMK General Secretary Vaiko, along with MPs Trichy Siva, Shanmugam, and Ganesamoorthy, also paid homage to Karunanidhi’s statue at the DMK office in New Delhi, paying their tribute to the leader who left an indelible mark on Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
The fifth death anniversary of Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi was a day of solemn remembrance, wherein leaders and party members came together to honor his legacy and vow to carry forward his vision for a prosperous and inclusive Tamil Nadu. The gestures and ceremonies held throughout the state and even in the nation’s capital showcased the respect and adoration the late leader continues to command even years after his passing.