Emotional Minister says he is grateful to 'Kalaignar'

Chennai, Aug 31 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu assembly today witnessed some emotional moments when Public Works Minister Duraimurugan, who had recently undergone a by-pass surgery, broke down while thanking party leader and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for giving him a ''re-birth'', even as the latter was also moved to tears.

The emotional scenes overtook the proceedings, as the Minister, amid pin drop silence in the House, thanked the Chief Minister with tears rolling down his cheeks. His family members, including his wife, son and brother, who had come to listen to his reply, were also seen wiping their tears.

Mr Duraimurugan who resumed attendance in the House since last week after a gap of nearly one month after the by-pass surgery, broke down while recalling how the DMK supremo, during the course of a conversation on June 12, found that there was something wrong with him and asked senior party leaders to rush him to the hospital.

As he wept uncontrollably, Mr Karunanidhi was seen wiping his tears and when it became impossible for the Minister to continue his reply, the members, cutting across party lines, asked him to resume his seat.

When Mr Duraimurugan tried to go ahead with his reply after taking a sip of water, Speaker R Avudaiyappan, as requested by Electricity Minister and former AIADMK Minister D Jayakumar, said that the printed version of the announcements could be taken as read and passed the demand for grants.

Rising to reply to the debate, Mr Duraimurugan, who is known for his fiery speeches and witty comments in the House, took everyone by surprise as his emotions overs hadowed his voice. In a tone full of gratitude, Mr Duraimurugan said ''if two people, my father and mother gave me life once, one person -my reverred leader Kalaignar'' has given me life twice ,'' and recalled how Mr Karunanidhi saved his life, when he had to travel in the Rockfort Express some years ago, which met with an accident.

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