Setback to probity, says Karunanidhi

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JUNE 3. Turning 78 today, the DMK president and former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, in his characteristic style, punned on the Tamil word `Nanayam' to drive home the message that the outcome of the recent Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu implied a blow to the `probity plank'.

``Nanayam'', which means both currency and honesty, has ``taken a beating'', quipped Mr. Karunanidhi when reporters, on the occasion, sought his brief reflection about his long stint in public life.

Taking a jibe at the 'money crunch', cited as one of the factors for the DMK's defeat at the hustings, Mr. Karunanidhi said `Nanayam', in one sense, referred to the money in circulation. But in its other equally important sense, it meant a culture of transparency and honesty, which has `declined', he added.

While partymen in large numbers thronged the party headquarters, `Anna Arivalayam', since early today, one of them garlanded him with currency notes, even as another offered a Rajasthani-style headgear.

The Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, was among the early callers to telephonically greet Mr. Karunanidhi, besides filmstar, Mr. Rajnikanth.

The State Governor, Ms. M. Fathima Beevi, sent her greetings to Mr. Karunanidhi. Senior party functionaries including Messrs. K. Anbazhagan, Murasoli Maran, T. R. Baalu, Arcot N. Veeraswamy, Durai Murugan, and M. K. Stalin earlier accompanied the DMK chief when he paid homage at the `Anna samadhi'.

Leaders of various allied parties in the Tamil Nadu NDA including Mr. P. Chidambaram (TMC-DF), Mr. S. Thirunavukkarasu (MGR-ADMK), Mr. Rm. Veerappan (MGR-Kazhagam), Mr. R. Thirumavalavan (DPI), Dr. K. Krishnasamy (PT), Mr. S. Kannappan (MTD) and Mr. Kumari Ananthan (TC), former Speaker, Mr. P.T.R. Palanivel Rajan and the former TNCC President, Mr. Tindivanam K. Ramamurthy, were among those who personally came over to greet the DMK chief.

The State BJP leaders led by its president, Dr. S. P. Kirubhanidhi, who, in the morning, were preoccupied with their party meeting at Mamallapuram, called on Mr. Karunanidhi at his residence in the evening to greet him.

As the crowd became virtually uncontrollable inside the party headquarters, one of the DMK cadres from Madurai, Mr. Danushkoti, fainted and collapsed.

He was immediately rushed to a private hospital, but later died. Mr. Karunanidhi expressed deep grief and pain at the incident.

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Section  : Southern States
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