Modi pays last homage to M Karunanidhi; Consoles Stalin and Kanimozhi

Chennai, Aug 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew down to Chennai to pay his last homage to late DMK chief M Karunanidhi. PM Modi visited the Rajaji hall, where M Karunanidhi's mortal remains have been kept and briefly interacted with with his family members.

Clad in white, Modi laid a wreath at Karunanidhi's feet and bowed before his mortal remains, paying his respect to the late leader. He later consoled the DMK chief's family members, including his wife Rajathi and son M K Stalin.

Modi, who arrived here from New Delhi by a special flight earlier in the morning, was accompanied by Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and state unit leaders of the BJP, besides those of the DMK and the AIADMK.

He later had a brief conversation with Rajathi. He exchanged a few words with Stalin, the DMK's working president, gently patting him on the back in an apparent gesture of consoling him. While leaving, Modi spoke to Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi, an MP, as Stalin joined him.

Earlier Modi had tweeted four photos of him with Karunanidhi from his personal account and wrote, " 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 marginalised."

Karunanidhi, 94, died at a private hospital yesterday following prolonged illness. The prime minister in his message had described the DMK chief as a prolific thinker and a deep-rooted mass leader who stood for regional aspiration and national progress.

PTI