CHENNAI: Pongal will be not so radiant this year for the thousands of DMK cadres as their nonagenarian party chief M. Karunanidhi did not greet them as he had always done on the eve of the Tamils' new year.
While his son M. K. Stalin, recently crowned the DMK working president, greeted the party members and the rest of the public for a great Pongal, the usually busy pen of Kalaignar seemed to have fallen silent.
It indicated that the grand old man of Dravidian politics is not healthy enough to communicate even a brief greeting for his doting followers.
It had been the habit for Mr Karunanidhi to receive party lieutenants and others at his house on every Pongal morning and bless them by giving them each a crisp ten-rupee note. Party functionaries converge at his place from all over Tamil Nadu to receive that special gift. It does not seem probable they would receive this special Pongal greeting from Kalaignar on Saturday.
Informed sources said the party headquarters has informed the functionaries not to disturb the leader this Pongal day.
Tamil Nadu Governor, leaders extend greetings for Pongal
Leaders including Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala and DMK working president M.K. Stalin greeted the people on the eve of Pongal.
Rao said Pongal, the harvest festival, brought new hope to the farmers, marking the end of the winter season and the beginning of the Tamil month ‘Thai,’ making the way for progress. “On the joyous occasion of Pongal and Sankranthi, I convey my heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people”, he said.
In a Raj Bhavan press release, the Governor said it is time to share experience and expertise in farming, to enhance knowledge using satellite imaging to increase agriculture production and to build an inclusive, digital and a productive India.
Recalling the welfare schemes launched by his predecessor J. Jayalalithaa, Panneerselvam said farmers are being providing seeds and equipment at subsidised rates, and added that this had led to the state making new achievement in food grain production.
Sasikala said Pongal transcended caste differences and symbolised brotherhood. The AIADMK government of ‘Amma’ had taken up various pro-farmer initiatives and protecting them, she said. Referring to the change made by party leader M. Karunanidhi when in power that Pongal Day is also the Tamil New Year day, Stalin said it is a festival not only to be celebrated to transcend caste differences but also to celebrate hard work. This year’s festivities were being celebrated in the background of drought and jallikattu protests, he said. He appealed to his supporters to celebrate Pongal also as Tamil New Year day. MDMK founder Vaiko, TNCC President Su Thirunavukkarasar, BJP State president Tamilisai Sounderrajan and TMC leader G.K. Vasan among extended their Pongal greetings.
Kiran Bedi greets people: Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi greeted the people on the eve of the Pongal festival.
