Chennai: Describing the demise of DMK chief M. Karunanidhi as a “big loss to Tamil Nadu,” Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday said the DMK president has left his “imprint” in the national politics.
“Not only in politics but also in the field of Tamil literature and as script and dialogue writer in Tamil films, he has displayed his talents and created social awareness through them. Both in Tamil Nadu and in national politics he has left his imprint,” Palaniswami said while paying rich tributes to the late DMK leader. In a statement here Mr. Palaniswami said his demise was “a big loss to Tamil Nadu.”
Expressing grief over the passing away of the Dravidian stalwart, the CM extended his sympathies to Karunanidhi’s family, especially his son and DMK working president M. K. Stalin, and DMK cadres. “I was grieved to know that Mr. M Karunanidhi, a present MLA, died at a private hospital,” he said. Tracing Karunanidhi’s 50 year-journey as DMK chief, Palaniswami said the former Chief Minister was one of the senior most political leaders of the country.
He recalled that Karunanidhi took to literary activity as a school student and involved himself in various social movements at the age of 14. The veteran leader made his legislative debut in 1957 from Kulithalai constituency, remaining unbeaten in all elections that he contested since then. Karunanidhi took over the reigns of the state as its Chief Minister in 1969, he said. “He strived for social justice.. and was five-time Chief Minister,” Palaniswami said.
