Birth centenary celebrations of ’Kalaignar‘ Karunanidhi saw BJP state chief Annamalai rub shoulders with DMK leaders he constantly attacks.
Published Aug 18, 2024 | 10:20 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 18, 2024 | 10:29 PM
Leaders paying tribute to M Karunanidhi at the late leader's memorial in Chennai on Sunday. (CMOTamil Ndu/X)
A very rare sight unfolded in Chennai on Sunday when leaders from two political parties that claim to be polar opposites in ideology, posed for cameras, all smiles.
Politics took a backseat on Sunday, 18 August, as leaders paid rich tributes to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi during his birth centenary celebrations in Chennai.
The highlight was Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai joining Chief Minister and DMK supremo MK Stalin to pay tributes to the late leader. Stalin had personally invited Annamalai to the event. Annamalai, whose claim to fame in politics is the constant harsh criticism of MK Stalin and DMK, was seen rubbing shoulders with the same leaders he baits.
Those who attended the event included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan. The participation of Union ministers, however, was expected since the Union government approved the release of a commemorative coin in tribute to ‘Kalaignar’ Karunanidhi.
Annamalai and Stalin sharing a dais was rare since the BJP leader has been acerbic in his criticism of Stalin and the DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu. The camaraderie also comes at a time the BJP has split from the AIADMK and the Congress Tamil Nadu unit has been pushing to be more independent of DMK.
Annamalai was invited to the event as part of a broader effort to include leaders from various political parties, reflecting Karunanidhi’s significant legacy in Tamil Nadu’s political history, according to DMK sources.
The event was designed to transcend party lines, bringing together different political ideologies to honour the late DMK leader’s contributions to Tamil Nadu and Indian politics.
Annamalai tried to downplay the frenzy his participation had created. “I was invited with love and respect by the DMK-appointed Poochi Murugan. I do not want to see this as a political narrative,” he said.
“This involves the Union government, and for the legacy that Karunanidhi sir holds. The idea of introducing a new coin instills a sense of pride and nothing else,” he added.
Murugan is the chairman of the board of directors of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the leaders in paying tributes to Karunanidhi, saying he was a towering figure in Indian politics, literature and society. “He was always passionate about the development of Tamil Nadu, as well as national progress,” he said in a message that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin posted on X.
The prime minister said the commemorative coin released on Sunday, honoured the memory of Karunanidhi and well as the ideals he upheld. “This coin will serve as a reminder of his legacy and the enduring impact of his work,” Modi stated in the message.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the coin in ₹100 denomination at an impressive function held in Chennai.
Singh emphasised the importance of recognising and honoring the contributions of leaders like Karunanidhi to Indian democracy and social progress. He acknowledged the late DMK leader’s role in championing the rights of the marginalised and his impact on Tamil Nadu’s cultural and political landscape.
The defence minister also highlighted the need for unity in preserving the values that leaders like Karunanidhi stood for, while appreciating the significance of such memorial events in fostering national integration.
Describing Karunanidhi as an able administrator, Singh referred to the late leader’s ‘Manu Nidhi Thittam’ programme, which mandated district officials to reserve one day every week only to listen to the problems of the people.
“One of the most significant aspects of his tenure as the chief minister was the focus on education and infrastructure development. His vision was not confined to Tamil Nadu alone. He recognised that the progress of any one state contributed to the progress of the nation as a whole. His work is a testament to the Indian spirit of self-reliance and progress. His legacy is a reminder that regional development is integral to national development. It best exemplifies the idea of cooperative federalism,” he added.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi recalled “Karunanidhi’s socially progressive vision and unwavering dedication to empower people paved way for millions to live a life of dignity”.
Gandhi, in his message, also commended Stalin on his “unwavering commitment to protecting the inclusive idea of India”.
The leaders attending the event in Chennai paid tributes to the late leader at the Karunanidhi Memorial on Marina Beach.
TNPCC chief K Selvaperunthagai, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s Thol Thirumavalavan, CPI(M)’s K Balakrishnan, CPI’s Mutharasan, MDMK’s Vaiko, PMK’s GK Mani, and poet Vairamuthu were also among those who attended the function. Stalin thanked the leaders for attending the event.
(Edited by Majnu Babu with inputs from Baskar P).
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