Tamil political leaders condole death of Karunanidhi

Chennai : Leaders in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday condoled the death of former Chief Minister and DMK President M. Karunanidhi.

Expressing his grief, Governor Banwarilal Purohit in a statement said: "Dr. M. Karunanidhi who was fondly called Kalaignar was a versatile leader who held the masses mesmerized by his oratory."

"He was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for more than 18 years, during which period he authored and implemented a number of welfare schemes for the poor and underprivileged," Purohit said listing out several such programmes.

Chief Minister K. Palaniswami he said is anguished to hear about the demise of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a very senior politician and leader of DMK for 50 years, Karunanidhi.

PMK founder S. Ramadoss said a university that made several histories has died. He said the news of Karunanidhi's death has shaken him.

Ramadoss said Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at the age of 45 by dint of hard work. He came into politics without any backing, he added.

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth in a tweet said Karunanidhi's day of death is an unforgettable black day in my life.