PRESIDENT , Vice President & PM Narendra Modi Join Millions of People In Mourning Demise Of Karunanidhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Chennai on Wednesday to pay homage   to Tamil Nadu’s iconic leader M Karunanidhi .In a statement, PM Modi said he was a deep-rooted mass leader who stood for regional aspiration and national progress and will travel to Chennai tomorrow morning to pay his last respect. The Tamil Nadu Government has declared seven-day mourning .Karunanidhi died at 6.10 pm at the age of 94 after prolonged illness in a Chennai hospital. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said the DMK leader was one of the leading and longstanding politicians of our country who left a mark of his own during his long public life of about 80 years including 56 years as member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The Prime Minister’s Office said Modi will leave for Chennai in the morning and return by evening. The meeting of the Union Cabinet slated for 1 pm is likely to be postponed. The two Houses of parliament is likely to be adjourned for the day on Wednesday after paying tribute to the departed soul. “I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. He was one of the senior most leaders of India. Kalaignar Karunanidhi stood for regional aspirations as well as national progress. He was steadfastly committed to the welfare of Tamils and ensured that Tamil Nadu’s voice was effectively heard,” Modi said in his tweets.

He said that he had the opportunity of interacting with Karunanidhi on several occasions and his understanding of policy and emphasis on social welfare stood out. He was firmly committed to democratic ideals and his strong opposition to the Emergency will always be remembered. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said Karunanidhi was a multifaceted personality and a gritty fighter and had overcome several challenges during his long stint in public life.”Being a member of the state Legislative Assembly 13 times since 1957 from seven different constituencies and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for five times speaks for his deep connect with and influence over the people of the state,” Naidu said in his message. Incidently DMK, which now an ally of the main Opposition Congress, was also part of the BJP led NDA. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chie Minister Mamata Banerjee has also rushed to Chennai to pay her last respect to Karunanaidhi.