Five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and DMK chief Dr M Karunanidhi passed away. He breathed his last at 6.10 pm according to the Kauvery Hospital health bulletin.
He was 94 and battling for his life since the past few days and was admitted to the Kauvery Hospital in Chennai. He was in the hospital for 11 days where he was being treated for age-related health issues. Karunanidhi, was born on 3rd June 1924 in Thirukkuvalai village in Nagapattinam district, as a son of Muthuvelu and Anju. However, Karunanidhi was more interested in drama, poetry, and literature during his school season. Karunanidhi, who was inspired by the speaker Azhagirisamy, considered the pillar of the Justice Party, completely engaged in social movements at a young age of 14.
Karunanidhi began his career as a screenwriter in the Tamil film industry. His first movie as screen writer was Rajakumari Rajakumari (1947 film) produced by Coimbatore based Jupiter Pictures directed by A. S. A. Sami starring M. G. Ramachandran.
At the age of 33, Karunanidhi entered the Tamil Nadu assembly by winning the Kulithalai seat in the 1957 election. He became the DMK treasurer in 1961 and deputy leader of opposition in the state assembly in the year 1962 and when the DMK came to power in 1967, he became the Minister for Public Works.
When Annadurai expired in 1969, Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the first leader of DMK, since the leader post was customarily left vacant for Periyar during Annadurai time as Annadurai was party general secretary only. He has held various positions in the party and government during his long career in Tamil Nadu political arena. As luck would have it, he served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for five terms.
During the Emergency DMK was the only ruling party that opposed the emergency for which his government was summarily dismissed by Indira Gandhi’s government and many of his party leaders were arrested till emergency was lifted. Later D.M.K teamed with Janata Party post emergency but suffered defeat at assembly elections under accusations of corruption . Over the years, M Karunanidhi always held a fondness for the literature, prose, poetry and films. His death brings Tamil Nadu to a standstill, as he was one of the mass-leaders of the southern state. He is survived by his 5 children. He was married thrice, but he outlived his wives. His children M. K Stalin and M. K Kanimozhi are prominent faces in Tamil Nadu politics. May his soul rest in peace.