Karunanidhi said Sai Baba had won a place in the hearts of Tamil people by giving Rs.200 crore to bring Krishna water here. The chief minister said that even though he (Karunanidhi) is an atheist, Sai Baba always had love and affection for him.
Karunanidhi said he shared the grief of Sai Baba's devotees. According to him, Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has left for Puttaparthi to pay his last respects to the departed soul.
In her condolence message, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa said Sai Baba spent his life spreading the message of love and humanity. Citing the various educational institutions and hospitals set up by his trust, Jayalalithaa said Sai Baba served the poor in India and across the world for more than half a century.
Sai Baba, whom his devotees worshipped as god, was suffering from multi-organ dysfunction. He breathed his last Sunday at 7.40 a.m. at the Sathya Sai super-speciality hospital, where he was admitted March 28 with cardiac problems. He was 85.
Published 24 April 2011, 07:59 IST