Karunanidhi's family visits burial site; pays homage

The family of late DMK President M Karunanidhi on Thursday paid respects at the site where the five-time chief minister was buried on the historic Marina Beach.

The site, where the sandalwood casket carrying Karunanidhi's mortal remains was lowered on to the ground, attracted thousands of people since early Thursday who paid their respect by showering flowers. By noon, a large portrait of Karunanidhi was placed at the site with many of his supporters clicking selfies and showering flower petals.

DMK working president M K Stalin visited the burial site along with party seniors A Raja and I Periyasamy and paid his respects. Later in the evening, the entire family of Karunanidhi was at the Marina Beach to pay homage to the departed soul.

Again, the family put up a united show with Stalin and his brother M K Alagiri being present at the same time, though they did not speak. DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, her mother Rajathi and extended family members of Karunanidhi also visited the burial site and paid their respects.

The DMK wants a grand memorial to come up on the site, but it is not immediately clear whether the party would request the government to construct the structure or will do on its own. Karunanidhi was buried next to the resting place of his political mentor C N Annadurai on Wednesday evening. He is the first former chief minister to have buried at the Marina Beach.

Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu and actress Trisha were among the prominent personalities who paid tributes.

While Karunanidhi's burial site and the departed leader's Gopalapuram residence witnessed a steady stream of visitors, the party headquarters, 'Anna Arivalayam,' wore a deserted look.