CHENNAI: In a gesture that may pacify the DMK workers and functionaries and remove the growing strains between the two parties, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi met DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on Saturday to enquire about his health. Later in the afternoon, in a surprise move, AIADMK leaders too visited Kauvery Hospital where Karunanidhi is being treated and expressed wishes for his recovery on behalf of AIADMK and former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s aide V.K. Sasikala.
Talking to reporters, Rahul Gandhi, who visited the hospital at around 11.30 am, said “I met the DMK leader personally and wished him a speedy recovery. He is a leader of Tamil Nadu people and so I wanted to personally wish him a speedy recovery. I am happy to see that he is doing well. I met the DMK leader and enquired about his health. I also conveyed to him the wishes of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for his recovery”.
Rahul said he enquired about the treatment given to Karunanidhi with the doctors who said Karunanidhi would be able to go home pretty soon. This is Rahul’s first personal meeting with Karunanidhi.
The Congress leader did not call on Karunanidhi during his earlier visits even though the DMK and Congress are allies. Even when he visited Chennai to enquire about the health of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, he did not call on the nonagenarian leader. Rahul Gandhi was accompanied by AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh, TNCC leader S. Thirunavukkarasar, his predecessor E.V.K.S. Elangovan, former Union Minister P. Chidambaram and senior leader Peter Alphonse.
Rahul Gandhi spent some time speaking to the doctors and DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin, who were accompanied by party Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and principal secretary K. Duraimurugan. In the afternoon, Lok Sabha speaker M. Thambidurai and state minister D. Jayakumar visited Kauvery Hospital. They met Stalin and enquired about the Karunanidhi's health.
Speaking to reporters, Thambidurai said “We enquired about Karunanidhi's health on behalf of the AIADMK and Sasikala who is going to lead us. We wish that Karunanidhi would get well and return home soon”. Union minister Pon. Radhakrishnan spoke to Stalin through phone and enquired about Karunanidhi's health.
