Chennai: It was an emotional welcome for 92-year-old DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, who launched his election campaign for the May 16 Assembly elections on banks of Adyar river in Saidapet, where he was elected in 1967 and went on to become the Chief Minister for the first time.
On one of the hottest summer days when the mercury levels rose to over 100 degree Fahrenheit, men and women with children started gathering at the meeting spot near the Alandur bridge on Adyar river from afternoon.
Surprisingly, there were no posters, flags and festoons in the area, except along the road taken by the DMK chief. The usual playing of songs and the sonorous voice of Nagoor Hanifa’s “Odi Varugiraan Udhayasooriyan” (The rising sun is coming to meet you) was also absent. However, the theme song for the Classical Tamil meet penned by the DMK leader was played on his arrival and departure.
The usual drama and music on stage was missing. But, the crowd, especially women and elders turned emotional. When Karunanidhi arrived, the silent crowd waiting under the sweltering sun broke into ruptures, applauses, tears, whistles and shouts greeting their leader.
People including women stood on chairs to have a look at Karunanidhi. Elders were seen lifting the children with pleas to see the DMK leader, while youngsters were taking photographs in their mobiles.
One of the cadres, Dhanapalan, (73), who was with his grandchildren, was seen lifting them high so that they could see his leader. An emotional Dhanapalan, told those around him “This could be the last time I am seeing my leader in campaign. My grandchildren are fortunate to see him in their lives. I am 73 and may not live for long. Let Kalaignar live for 100 years and let my grandchildren vote for him”.
Karunanidhi who was late by an hour, spoke for just about 20 minutes and appealed for change and hoped that people would not disappoint him. Addressing the people, who were most severely hit by the floods, Karunanidhi recalled how the DMK cadres helped the people in rescue and relief operations. He also charged the AIADMK government with failing in rescue and relief operations. He added “I am powerless. Give me power in this elections. Everyone should work to bring change. Do not bring disappointment,” he added.
