Chennai: DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Wednesday celebrated his 65th birdhday at the Dravidar Kazhagam headquarters in the city after paying homage at the memorial of the Dravidian movement’s founder E.V.R. Periyar indicating that he had patched up with the parent body after differences over the DK’s support to AIADMK to stay in the government.
Early in the morning, Stalin went to DMK president M. Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence and got the blessings of his father and mother Dayalu Ammal. Later, he went to Anna memorial and paid tributes to the DMK founder.
At the DK headquarters Periyar Thidal, DK president K. Veeramani welcomed Stalin and offered a shawl to him.
Stalin cut his birthday cake at the DK headquarters in front of cadres and people. Commenting on Stalin’s visit to the DK headquarters, Veeramani said “There can be differences of opinion between the DK and DMK. But, the ties between the two parties is not a kind of alliance, but an unbreakable relationship”.
Earlier, Veeramani had condemned the activities of the DMK in the Assembly during Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami’s vote of confidence on February 18.
From DK headquarters, he went to DMK general secretary K. Anbazhagan’s house at Kilpauk and got his blessings. Later, he celebrated his birthday at his Alwarpet residence with his wife Durga, son Udhayanidhi, daughter Senthamarai and grand children. DMK Rajya Sabha MP and his sister Kanimozhi, besides the other sister Selvi conveyed their greetings to Stalin.
The DMK leader went to party headquarters Anna Arivalayam where he was given a grand welcome. A large number of books was given to him as gifts, following his request earlier and a jallikattu bull was among the gifts.
The Anna Salai stretch from Teyanampet to Marina beach witnessed traffic congestion from the morning due to the arrival of DMK cadres to the headquarters and the procession led by Stalin.
He also visited the Little Flowers School at Thousand Lights to celebrate the birthday with differently abled children.
Among those who greeted Stalin through phone included Congress vice president Rahul Gandh, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress in-charge for Tamil Nadu Mukul Wasnik, Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Pon. Radhakrishnan, TNCC president S. Thirunavukkarasar, BJP state president Tamilisai Soundarrajan, CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, PMK youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss and film star Rajnikanth.
