Putting an end to all the speculations, Kauvery Hospital today announced the demise of DMK leader and five times Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Karunanidhi at 6:10 pm on Tuesday. The 94-year-old veteran had been dealing with extremely critical and unstable health for the last few weeks. A flood of DMK cadres and supporters have gathered outside the hospital many of whom have been staying there since Monday. The Tamil Nadu government has announced a seven-day period of mourning, and a holiday tomorrow.
“Despite the best possible efforts by our team of doctors and nurses to resuscitate him, he failed to respond. We profoundly mourn the loss of one of the tallest leaders of India and we share the grief of family members and fellow Tamilians worldwide,” the hospital said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow and said, “Karunanidhi stood for regional aspirations as well as national progress. He was steadfastly committed to the welfare of Tamils and ensured that Tamil Nadu’s voice was effectively heard.”
Deeply saddened by the passing away of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. He was one of the senior most leaders of India.
We have lost a deep-rooted mass leader, prolific thinker, accomplished writer and a stalwart whose life was devoted to the welfare of the poor and the marginalised. pic.twitter.com/jOZ3BOIZMj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2018
President Ram Nath Kovind said he was extremely sad to learn of Karunanidhi’s passing. “Our country is poorer today,” he tweeted.
Karunanidhi’s son and DMK working president M.K. Stalin had a meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami at his residence. It is said that in the meeting, Stalin requested CM Palaniswamy for a place at Marina Beach in Chennai for a memorial.
He was admitted to the Kauvery Hospital following a drop in his blood pressure on July 28. Then on his helth conditions continued to drop gradually and was kept under active medical support system.
Preparations were already made seeing the deteriorating health conditions of Karunanidhi.
From the Marina T-point, barricades were placed on the dividers of Wallajah Road
Karunanidhi’s car was also removed from the garage Tuesday evening
An ambulance was brought into the Kauvery Hospital
Commando forces have been deployed near his residence
Police personnel were already deployed at the Rajarathinam Stadium
He detached himself away from active politics in Tamil Nadu ever since his health deteriorated in 2016. AIADMK leader and then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa died an-year-and-half before him. Both were considered to be the pillar of DMK and AIADMK respectively. After Jayalalithaa’s demise, AIADMK had a split which weakened the party, but the situation in DMK is expected to remain stable. One of Karunanidhi’s son and DMK president MK Stalin will be looked forward to lead the charges for next year assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
