‘Kalaignar’ Karunanidhi’s 100th birth anniversary: Political leaders pay tributes

The DMK chief also paid floral tributes to the decorated portraits of the late leader at downtown Gopalapuram (Karunanidhi’s residence) and at the office of “Murasoli,” the party’s official organ.

The Dravidian party president, in his message, showered encomium on Karunanidhi and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to journey on the path paved by him.

பிறந்தார் – நிறைந்தார் என்ற வாழ்வின் இரு புள்ளிகளுக்கிடையில்,

தொட்ட துறைகளில் எல்லாம் உச்சம் தொட்டார்!
ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட மக்களுக்காக வாழ்ந்தார்!
தமிழ்நாட்டின் வளர்ச்சிக்காகப் பாடுபட்டார்!
தமிழினத்தின் எழுச்சிக்காக உழைத்தார்!
வரலாற்றைத் தன்னைச் சுற்றிச் சுழலவிட்டார்!

முத்தமிழறிஞர்… pic.twitter.com/hUGYqPdmOe

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 3, 2024

DMK leader RS Bharathi speaking to the news agency ANI in Chennai, said, “We have been celebrating this (centenary celebrations of K Karunanidhi’s birth) since last year, but since the MCC was imposed, we could not celebrate in a grand manner as we had planned. After 6 June, we will celebrate grandly.”

Rahul, and Sonia pay tributes

Meanwhile, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah paid tributes at an event held at the DMK office in Delhi.

Speaking at the event, Sonia Gandhi said, “It’s my pleasure to be here with my colleagues from the DMK on the very auspicious occasion of the 100th anniversary of Dr Kalaignar Karunanidhi.”

“I had the good fortune of meeting him on many occasions, listening to what he had to say and benefiting from his words of wisdom and advice. I feel fortunate to have met him,” she said and extended her best wishes to those present on the occasion.

It’s my pleasure to be here with my colleagues from the DMK on the very auspicious occasion of the 100th anniversary of Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi.

I had the good fortune of meeting him on many occasions, listening to what he had to say, and benefiting from his words of wisdom… pic.twitter.com/uwICKhPWo9

— Congress (@INCIndia) June 3, 2024

After paying his tributes to the leader, Rahul Gandhi speaking to the media said, “A great leader of Tamil Nadu – somebody who defended the culture, and language of the Tamil people. It is an honour for me to come here today.”

I’m happy to come here in remembrance of a great leader of Tamil Nadu, somebody who defended the culture and the language of the Tamil people and it’s an honour for me to come here.

: Shri @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/qVMF40iGWW

— Congress (@INCIndia) June 3, 2024

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‘Great son of India’

Farooq Abdullah, speaking to the press said, “One of the great sons of India to serve this nation. With all his thoughts, all his actions and all his life, he served for the betterment of this nation.”

Further praising Karunanidhi as a person who not only thought of Tamil Nadu, but the whole country, Farooq Abdullah added, “That is why I have come all the way from Kashmir. I’ve had a great relationship with him, and he always stood by us during difficult times.”

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister added, “I hope India survives as a secular nation and those divisive forces that are dividing us will not succeed in their division. That is what India should be and that is what we want India to be for all of us. That is what our Constitution is. We will do everything to protect that Constitution.”

CPI (M) senior leader Sitaram Yechury also spoke of the leader in high terms, calling Karunanidhi a political stalwart, Yechury said, “He was one of the most important workers for social change. His work and struggle is an example to all.”

Further calling him a leader par excellence, Yechury said Karunanidhi was someone who could empathise with the ground-level worker.

“இந்திய நாட்டின் சிறந்த தலைவர்களில் ஒருவர் முத்தமிழறிஞர் கலைஞர் அவர்கள். சமூக மாற்றத்திற்காக உழைத்தவர்களில் மிக முக்கிய இடம் பிடித்தவர். அவரது உழைப்பும், போராட்டமும் அனைவருக்கும் முன்னுதாரணமாக அமைந்துள்ளது.”

– மார்க்சிஸ்ட் கம்யூனிஸ்ட் கட்சியின் மூத்த தலைவர் திரு @SitaramYechury… pic.twitter.com/aZcWPWsy52

— DMK (@arivalayam) June 3, 2024

The general secretary of CPI (M) D Raja said, “The development of Tamil Nadu cannot be written without mentioning Muthamizharinagar leader artist. Kalainar was a great leader who worked not only for state rights, language rights, social justice and culture but also for democratically building national politics.”

தமிழ்நாட்டின் வளர்ச்சியை முத்தமிழறிஞர் தலைவர் கலைஞர் அவர்களை குறிப்பிடாமல் எழுத முடியாது. மாநில உரிமைகளுக்காக, மொழி உரிமைக்காக, சமூக நீதிக்காக, பண்பாட்டிற்காக மட்டுமல்லாமல், ஜனநாயக வழியில் தேசிய அரசியலை கட்டமைக்கவும் உழைத்தவர் மாபெரும் தலைவர் கலைஞர் அவர்கள்.

– கம்யூனிஸ்ட்… pic.twitter.com/KJK3UixUWn

— DMK (@arivalayam) June 3, 2024

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(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula with PTI inputs)