M Karunanidhi, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President died at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai today. He was admitted to the hospital last month after his health condition weakened. While there was slight improvement thereafter, his health deteriorated substantially. According to a medical bulletin by the hospital, he passed away at 6:10 pm due to multiple organ failure. Doctors said that despite maximum medical support, his state declined due to age-related ailments. Meanwhile, Twitter is mourning the death of the veteran leader who was a five-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
A statement issued by Executive Director Dr Aravindan Selvaraj of Cauvery Hospital reads, "There has been a decline in the medical condition of Kalaignar Dr M Karunanidhi, DMK President and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Maintaining his vital organ functions continue to remain a challenge considering his age-related ailments." RIP Muthuvel Karunanidhi! 5 Facts About Kalaignar to Remember As DMK Patriarch Dies at 94
It added, "He is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support. His response to the medical intervention over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis." On social media, everyone from politicians, actors, celebrities and commoners are condoling the death of the leader.
Here are some of the tweets:
1. Here's what PM Narendra Modi tweeted:
My thoughts are with the family and the countless supporters of Karunanidhi Ji in this hour of grief. India and particularly Tamil Nadu will miss him immensely. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/7ZZQi9VEkm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2018
2. Here's what Ramesh Bala tweeted:
Cannot think of any other Leader who contributed as #Kalaignar Ayya to Tamil Literature, Tamil Cinema, Tamils' rights, TN development and standing up for state's rights and for Tamils living all over the World.. #RIPKalaignar pic.twitter.com/s1S7xWDFRb
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) August 7, 2018
3. Here's what Hansika Motwani tweeted:
With profound grief I have learnt about the loss of our beloved Kalaignar Dr M Karunanidhi one of the best leaders the country has ever witnessed. I hope God gives courage and hope to the family member and fellow Tamilians to cope with this huge loss #RIPKalaignar
— Hansika (@ihansika) August 7, 2018
4. Here's what Shashi Tharoor tweeted:
News has just come in of the passing of Kalaignar Muthuvel Karunanidhi, a giant of Indian politics as CM of Tamil Nadu & a screenplay writer who gave voice to the Dravidian movement through his immortal dialogues. Tamil politics can never be the same again. RIP.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 7, 2018
5. Here's what Sachin Pilot tweeted:
Deeply saddened by the passing away of DMK chief #Karunanidhi Ji. Condolences to the family and supporters. #RIPKalaignar pic.twitter.com/niCO0Z02Ua
— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) August 7, 2018
Karunanidhi was born on June 3, 1924, in Thirukuvalai, Nagapattinam district as Dakshinamoorthy. He married thrice and had six children. He was popularly known as Kalaignar which can be literally translated to 'artist'.
6. Here's what Lokesh Nara tweeted:
A prolific writer who wove magic with words, a leader who is revered by his people, a politician who played a huge role in shaping national politics and a fighter with a writer’s heart who always stood for Tamil identity. M Karunanidhi Garu will be dearly missed! #RIPKalaignar
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) August 7, 2018
7. Here's what Rahul Gandhi tweeted:
Loved by the Tamilian people, Kalaignar strode the stage of Tamil 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 tonight.#Karunanidhi
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 7, 2018
From literature to poetry, art was dear to his heart and was loved for the same. He has written scripts of several Tamil films. He entered politics at the age of 14 and rose to become the face of Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu and remained a stalwart all his years. Karunanidhi was one of the main political rivals of Jayalalithaa who passed away in December last year. With the death of the DMK supremo, the Tamil Nadu politics will lack two massively popular figures.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2018 07:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).