DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi will be buried near mentor CN Annadurai at Chennai’s Marina Beach, the Madras High Court has ruled, promoting emotional scenes among family members who are gathered near the Dravidian icon’s Tricolour-draped body at Rajaji Hall. The AIADMK government had denied permission for Karunanidhi, who passed away aged 94 yesterday, to be buried next to Annadurai, MG Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa at the iconic mausoleum complex, saying he was not a sitting CM. Citing that he too had denied permission for MGR’s wife Janaki to be buried at Marina, the EPS government instead offered a two-acre site on Sardar Patel Road near the memorials to Rajaji and Kamaraj. The DMK in its plea said no rule said only a sitting CM could be buried near Anna Salai and cited Karunanidhi’s long and eventful political journey. Among those who paid respects to the five-time CM are Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami, deputy CM O Panneerselvam, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. A host of other leaders from across the country, including Prime Minister Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, are scheduled to arrive to express condolence. Both houses of Parliament, meanwhile, will be adjourned for the day after paying tributes to Karunanidhi.
Courtesy: News 18
