CHENNAI: The DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin's visit to Apollo Hospitals when former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was being treated has turned out to be a new beginning in state politics. This was confirmed by the reciprocal visit of the AIADMK leaders to enquire about the health of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi. Stalin's visit, besides being an ice-breaker between the two parties which are archrivals sharing the same Dravidian platform and same leader Anna, has turned a new leaf in the political culture of the state known for personal hatred and vendetta.
The Kauvery Hospital, where DMK chief M. Karunanidhi is being treated, saw two surprising visits on Saturday. While that of the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi breaks the strains in the DMK-Congress alliance, the second by AIADMK leaders marks the emergence of a new political culture. In the last three decades, the leaders of the two parties, whose manifestos and populist schemes closely resemble each other had never visited each other on any occasion, good or bad. They had not greeted each other in public functions.
Even during Karunanidhi's previous spell of hospitalisation earlier this month or in 2009, when the DMK chief was in a hospital for weeks for a surgery, no AIADMK leader visited or enquired about his health. Stalin visited Apollo Hospitals twice during Jayalalithaa's recent prolonged hospitalisation and he also paid homage to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall here after her death when she lay in state. Earlier, when MGR was leading the AIADMK, he had smooth personal relationship with Karunandihi. They exchanged greetings and MGR used to consult his rival on some issues, even in the Assembly lobby.
DMK general council put off with Karuna in hospital:
The DMK general council meeting, which was scheduled to be held on December 20, has been postponed due to the hospitalisation of party leader M. Karunanidhi. In a statement on Saturday, party general secretary K. Anbazhagan said the new date would be announced later. In another press release, the DMK headquarters said party leader M. Karunanidhi would be in hospital for a few more days and appealed to party cadre and visitors not to come to the hospital.
Citing the Kauvery Hospital’s medical bulletin that the DMK leader is stable, the party headquarters asked the functionaries and cadre to cooperate. The 92-year-old was admitted to Kauvery Hospital on Thursday after he faced difficulties in breathing due to a throat and lung infection. He had a tracheostomy after he faced difficulties in breathing due to a throat and lung infection.
Earlier, on December 1, he was admitted to the same hospital for a drug-induced allergy. Doctors had said he was there for nutrition and hydrational support.
