TN CM discharged from hospital

Chennai, May 18 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi, who was admitted to a private hospital here following neck and back pain, was today discharged from the hospital Official sources told UNI Mr Karunanidhi was discharged from the Sri Ramachandra Medical College Hospital at Subruban Porur around 1510 hrs.

Apart from senior doctors of the hospital, Apollo Hospitals Chairman P C Reddy, Union Ministers T R Baalu and A Raja, Rajya Sabha MP and Mr Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi, State Ministers K Ponmudy and E V Velu were among those present when the Chief Minister was discharged.

Mr Karunanidhi later drove down to his Gopalapuram residence.

He had been advised rest by the doctors.

Though there was no official engagement for him tomorrow, the Chief Minister is likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Justice Ashok Kumar Ganguly as the Chief Justice of Madras High Court at a function to be held at Raj Bhawan tomorrow at 1000 hrs.

The octogenarian leader was admitted to the hospital on May 16 following neck and back pain which had aggravated after he attended the 40-day long Budget Session of the State Assembly.

While undergoing treatment at the hospital, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Governor S S Barnala inquired about his health condition and wished him speedy recovery.

Leaders of various political parties, including Union Ministers S Jaipal Reddy, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, T R Baalu, A Raja and State Ministers and Mr Karunanidhi's estranged grand nephews, Former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran and Kalanidhi Maran, visited him at the hospital and enquired about his health condition.

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