A leader who never lost an election

New Delhi, August 7

A champion of Tamil, the man who wrote books, novels and dialogues for plays and movies, M Karunanidhi was an astute political leader who never lost an election in a career spanning six decades.

Leaders across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday condoled the death of DMK patriarch, hailing him as a deep-rooted mass leader and harbinger of politics of deprived.

President Ram Nath Kovind called Karunanidhi a “doyen of our public life” who had few peers while Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said the Tamil leader left a mark of his own during his long public life of about 80 years.

Karunanidhi, who dominated the state's politics for over six decades along with his arch-rivals MG Ramachandran first and then with J Jayalalithaa, died at a hospital in Chennai this evening. He was 94.

JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda said the Tamil leader was a “doyen of our public life and that his opposition to emergency will always be remembered.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the 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 the poor and downtrodden classes of the society. 

BJP veteran LK Advani described Karunanidhi as a doyen of Indian politics and a man of committed ideals. “He was a doyen of Indian politics who had started his career after independence. He was a man of committed ideals, he excelled in the field of politics and had also made valuable contributions to the Tamil literature,” Advani said in a statement.

Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao said: “In his demise, the people of Tamil Nadu have lost a Messiah of the Poor. As five times Chief Minister, Karunanidhi introduced several innovative schemes for the welfare of the weaker sections of society.” — PTI

The issues that proved tricky for karunanidhi

M Karunanaidhi strode Tamil politics like a Colossus but  the DMK’s image suffered from 1971-76 owing to corruption and later charges against his daughter Kanimozhi and former Union Minister A Raja in the 2G case and his grand-nephew Dayanidhi Maran in telephone exchange case.

The anti-Hindi and anti-North plank of the DMK, that catapulted him to power in 1967, weakened as the DMK and AIADMK both aligned with national parties for elections, including the BJP on some occasions. 

The DMK shared power at the Centre, diluting its traditional stand that the South was neglected. Having been part of the the NDA and UPA regimes, DMK’s anti-Centre campaign lost sting too.

Karunanidhi was forced to toe the line of the Centre not to support  the Tamil Eelam and to cede Katchatheevu island to Lanka.

Nepotism, perhaps, brought about his fall. Karunanidhi’s fondness for his kin led to decisions that gave room for charges against  him. Groupism, fanned at times by his relatives, added to  his discomfiture.  The bickering took a toll on his health. In his last days, he was in and out of hospital, barely able to speak. — R Rangaraj

Kalaignar: A five-time chief minister
Muthuvel Karunanidhi (MK) was CM five times — in 1969,1971, 1989, 1996, 2006

• He was MLA for 6 decades: won for first time from Kulithalai (1957) and from Tiruvarur (2016)
• Was hugely influenced by DMK founder EV Ramasamy ‘Periyar’ and state’s first CM CN Annadurai
• Outmanoeuvred R Nedunchezhian to become CM after Annadurai’s death in Feb 1969 with MGR’s help
• He became DMK chief in July 1969, a post he held until his death
• In 1972, MGR rebelled against MK and formed the AIADMK
• In 1984, MK was elected to the Legislative Council, that was abolished by MGR govt in 1986
• MK lost power to MGR protegee Jayalalithaa in 2011 and 2015

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Doyen of public life, he had few peers

"Extremely sad to learn of the passing of Thiru M Karunanidhi. A doyen of our public life, as a contributor to the development of Tamil Nadu and of India he has few peers. Our country is poorer today. My condolences to his family and millions of well-wishers." — Ram Nath Kovind, President 

Lost a deep-rooted mass leader 

"We have lost a deep-rooted mass leader, prolific thinker, accomplished writer and a stalwart whose life was devoted to the welfare of the poor and the marginalised. Karunanidhi stood for regional aspirations as well as national progress."— Narendra Modi, PM

Exceptional public servant

"The country has lost a versatile genius who was an outstanding artist, an eminent writer, and a true leader who stood for the cause of the poor and downtrodden. He was an exceptional public servant and a very able administrator." — Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister

Kalaignar strode the stage of politics

"Loved by Tamilians, Kalaignar strode the stage of politics, like a colossus, for over 6 decades. In his passing, India has lost a great son. My condolences to his family as also to the millions of Indians who grieve for their beloved leader."— Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief

Can’t forget his Emergency struggle 

"Anguished to learn about the demise of veteran politician, M Karunanidhiji. He had an impressive life journey, starting as a screen writer in Tamil film industry to being five-term CM. No one can forget his struggle during Emergency." — Amit Shah, BJP president 

TN lost its father figure 

"Today India lost one of its greatest sons. And Tamil Nadu lost its father figure. Farewell Kalaignar. My deepest condolences to the people of Tamil Nadu, DMK and family." — Mamata Banerjee, Bengal Chief Minister