State mourns over loss of strong DMK leader M Karunanidhi; passes away at 94
Total Views |
Chennai, August 8: A strong leader of DMK Party Muthuvel Karunanidhi or M Karunanidhi, who served as Chief Minister of the State for five terms took his last breathe on Tuesday at 6.10 pm in Kauvery Hospital at the age of 94.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other political personalities paid their homage over the loss DMK leader.
“With deep anguish, we announce the demise of our beloved Kalaignar Dr M. Karunanidhi on 7. 8. 2018 at 6.10 pm. Despite the best possible efforts by our team of doctors and nurses to resuscitate him, he failed to respond,” said a statement from the hospital. “We profoundly mourn the loss of one of the tallest leaders of India and we share the grief of the family members and fellow Tamilians worldwide,” it added.
Mortal remains of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi has been kept at Rajaji Hall in Chennai for people to pay their homage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Chennai this morning to pay his last respects to the departed leader. Ninety-four-year-old Karunanidhi passed away at a hospital in Chennai yesterday evening.
The central government has declared state funeral for him as a mark of respect for the departed soul. The national flag will fly half mast in Delhi and all state capitals today. A Home Ministry spokesperson said, the Central government will observe state mourning across the country today and there will be no official entertainment during the day. Tamil Nadu government has declared a holiday for educational institutions and government offices today. AIADMK government has announced 7-day mourning in the state.
Meanwhile, Madras High Court has adjourned till this morning hearing on a plea by DMK challenging Tamil Nadu government's denial of permission to bury him at Marina beach. In an urgent petition filed by the DMK, acting Chief Justice HG Ramesh and Justice SS Sundar heard the plea last night and adjourned the matter till this morning.
The High Court also directed the State government and the Chennai Corporation to file their replies.
Earlier, AIADMK government in the state has expressed its inability sighting there were some legal cases against burial at Marina. DMK leader MK Stalin, Kanimozhi and MK Alagiri approached Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisami to allow a space for burial at Marina.
Later in a press release, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan said that the Chief Minister reviewed their request and provided a two-acre site at a different place where former Chief Ministers Rajaji and Kamaraj were laid to rest.