National leaders on Tuesday condoled the death of DMK President M Karunanidhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi announcing they would attend his last rites in Chennai on Wednesday.
Leaders across party lines expressed grief over the death of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister including President Ram Nath Kovind, Modi, Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Read More: Karunanidhi passes away at age 94
“Extremely sad… 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,” President Kovind wrote on Twitter.
Modi expressed his anguish in a series of tweets.
“Deeply saddened by the passing away of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. He was one of the senior most leaders of India. 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 marginalized.
“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.
Modi said he had the opportunity of interacting with Karunanidhi on several occasions. “His understanding of policy and emphasis on social welfare stood out. Firmly committed to democratic ideals, his strong opposition to the Emergency will always be remembered.”
MUST READ: How M Karunanidhi became Kalaignar | Life and time of the DMK patriarch
Rahul Gandhi said India lost a great son, who strode the stage of Tamil politics like a colossus for over six 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,” he said.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee said Karunanidhi will be deeply missed.
“Sixty years a legislator, five times CM and a pillar of many coalitions at the Centre, he influenced his state’s and the national politics like few others. My deepest condolences to his family and admirers,” Mukherjee tweeted.
BJP President Amit Shah said no one can forget his struggle during the Emergency.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described Karunanidhi as “one of the tallest statesmen and mass leader of Indian politics”.
“Saddened by the demise of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar Karunanidhi, one of the tallest statesmen and mass leader of Indian politics,” Sonowal said on his Twitter handle.
“I offer my condolences to the bereaved family and people of Tamil Nadu in this moment of grief,” he wrote.
“Pained to hear about the sudden demise of Shri Karunanidhi ji. He was most popular leader in Tamil Nadu’s politics. A known writer who always stressed on social reforms. My heartfelt tributes to this great leader and condolences to his family & lakhs of followers!” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Among other national leaders, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury also condoled the death of the DMK stalwart.