Coincidence that 2 great sons of India left us on same month, says Nithin Gadkari

Chennai: Recalling Karunanidhi’s long association with the BJP, especially its tall leader and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mr. Gadkari said “it is quite a coincidence these two great sons of mother India left us in quick succession early this month.” Both Vajpayee and Karunanidhi had worked for common cause.

One aspect that personally inspired him is the Dravidian stalwart’s hard work. He had been working for 15 to 20 hours every day whether in power or out of power. 

The ideologies of the Dravidian movement and BJP had many similarities, including fostering and learning from “our glorious heritage,” he said. The Minister wound up his speech by praising the relentless efforts of Karunanidhi to immortalise the great work: Thirukkural authored by savant Thiruvalluvar.

“Thiruvalluvar is the first finest flower to blossom in the beautiful garden of mother India and is as much a celebration of the BJP as it is of Tamil Nadu and the DMK,” he said and quoting a couplet from the masterpiece, Mr. Gadkari said, “the length of the lotus stem depends upon the depth of the water. Likewise, a man’s greatness is proportionate to his hard work. Jai Hind! Namaskar!”

Responding to Mr Gadkari, Congress leader and Puducherry chief minister V. Narayanasamy recalled that Karunanidhi had later extended support to both Indira Gandhi and former congress president Sonia Gandhi. “It is out of our respect, we had announced installing a bronze statue for Kalaignar in Puducherry following his death,” he said. Citing his tussle with Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, he recalled Karunanidhi’s efforts towards upholding regional autonomy.