Leaders pay homage to Karunanidhi

Leaders across the country and abroad mourned the demise of former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK supremo, M Karunanidhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his message described the DMK chief as a prolific thinker and a deep-rooted mass leader who stood for regional aspiration and national progress. He paid tributes to late DMK chief M Karunanidhi at the Rajaji Hall here today and briefly met members of his family.

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day today as a mark of respect to the late DMK chief.

"In his death our country has lost a versatile genius who was an outstanding artist, an eminent writer and a true leader who always stood for the cause of poor and downtrodden classes of the society," said former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Expressing condolences, Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "Loved by the Tamilian people, Kalaignar strode the stage of Tamil politics, like a colossus, for over 6 decades. In his passing, India has lost a great son."

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy and Deputy CM G Parameshwara paid their last respects and tributes to Karunanidhi. They also met his bereaved family members and expressed their condolences.

"The death of M Karunanidhi, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and senior politician, deeply disturbed me. I express my deepest sympathy for everyone, including his family and supporters who have been saddened by the loss of Anna," Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena tweeted in Tamil.

"Deeply saddened by the demise of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar Karunanidhi. His contributions to Tamil literature, cinema, & politics are unparalleled. I join the millions of people who are mourning. My deepest condolences to the family & people of Tamil Nadu," former Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa tweeted.

Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami said Karunanidhi's demise was a "big loss to Tamil Nadu".

AMMK leader and RK Nagar MLA TTV Dhinakaran, actor-turned-politicians Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, and actor Sivakarthikeyan among others paid homage to Karunanidhi.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the country has lost one of its greatest sons.

"Today India lost one of its greatest sons. And Tamil Nadu lost its father figure. Farewell @Kalaignar89," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle.

Offering his condolences, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described the DMK patriarch as the tallest leader of Tamil Nadu, who played a key role in social change and reforms in the state.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP MP Shatrughan also expressed profound grief over Karunanidhi's demise.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan among others paid homage to Karunanidhi.

US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, in a tweet, said, "Karunanidhi will be remembered for years of public service to the state."