Madurai: Hundreds of people in Madurai, who have been taking a ‘spiritual walk’ through the four Chitrai streets around Meenakshi Amman temple for years, were taken by surprise when they spotted the leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin walking along with them on Sunday morning.
Dressed in a red T-shirt and a black track suit, the 63-year-old Stalin walked briskly around the streets for nearly an hour. Whenever he spotted walkers he would spend a few minutes greeting them and talking to them.
“I was thrilled when I saw Stalin Sir walking causally with us. There was nothing like showing off in his behaviour. Instead he was kind enough to wish all the walkers,” said Ramesh, a businessman from Arappalayam, who walks the Chitrai streets regularly.
After completing three rounds around the four Chitrai streets, Stalin drank a cup of coffee along with other customers at the famous Madurai Gopu Iyengars Restaurant’ near the West Tower of the temple. He would not allow any of the people to pay for their coffee either, picking up the tab sportingly for all of them. Stalin’s coffee treat went down well with the walkers who were impressed with his unpretentious behaviour.
“Whenever our leader Stalin visits Madurai, he will go for the morning walk either in the Race Course road or with the walker’s club at KK Nagar. This was the first time he chose to walk around the temple streets,” said K.Thalapathi, DMK Madurai Urban District Secretary.
When the Madurai DMK functionary informed Stalin on Saturday night that hundreds of people from all age groups, including senior citizens, have been routinely walking around the Meenakshi Amman temple since 5 am for many years now, he immediately agreed to experience the morning walk with them. “Our leader Stalin enjoyed walking around the temple,” he added.
Stalin visited Madurai to introduce the DMK candidate Dr P.Saravanan who is contesting the Thiruparankundram by-election. A public meeting was held in the evening.
