Karunanidhi death: Row erupts over burial of DMK chief at Marina Beach

M Karunanidhi, DMK chief and former Tamil Nadu chief minister, died on Tuesday evening here after prolonged illness, the Kauveri Hospital, where he was admitted, said.

He outshone many a celebrity, as he presided over the destiny of the Dravidian state along with his tinsel town co-travellers and arch rivals in politics--M G Ramachandran and his protegee J Jayalalithaa-- for decades.

CHENNAI: M Karunanidhi, DMK chief and former Tamil Nadu chief minister, died on Tuesday evening after a prolonged illness, the Kauveri Hospital, where he was admitted, said. "With deep anguish, we announce the demise of our beloved Kalaignar M Karunanidhi at 6.10 pm on August 7, the hospital said. Karunanidhi was admitted to the Kauveri Hospital hospital on July 28 following a dip in his blood pressure and he was under treatment in the Intensive Care Unit ever since. Karunanidhi Death: All That Happened On Tuesday

• Lawyers for DMK reach the residence of Madras High Court acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh who had agreed to hear today a case against denial of burial land by Tamil Nadu Govt at Marina beach for Karunanidhi
• Like Jayalalitha ji, Kalaignar was an expression of the voice of the Tamil people. That voice deserves to be given space on Marina Beach. I am sure the current leaders of Tamil Nadu will be magnanimous in this time of grief: Rahul Gandhi
• CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury described the denial of burial site at the Marina as "unfortunate." "This denial of the burial site for Kalaignar is most unfortunate. Thiru (Mr) Karunanidhi deserves his rightful place of rest next to Anna. #Kalaingnar," he said in a tweet.
• CPI National Secretary D Raja said Karunanidhi should be given a "honourable last journey". "DMK as a party and Karunanidhi's family requested for space in Marina. The state government must deal with the issue in a dignified way, accepting the request," he said.
• Tamil Nadu Government must take all measures, for last rites of #Karunanidhi to be performed near Anna memorial. This would be the highest respect we would be paying to him. This is my humble request: Rajinikanth

• Central govt has decided to accord state funeral to M Karunanidhi: MHA
• Karnataka Government has declared one-day state mourning for tomorrow
• Madras High Court acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh agrees to hear by 10:30 pm today a case against denial of burial land by Tamil Nadu Govt at Marina beach for Karunanidhi: ANI
• TN Govt should not play politics. On such occasions, Govt and parties should be above politics. Kalaignar should be given his due. He deserves a rightful place even after his demise: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress

Ambulance carrying #Karunanidhi's mortal remains leaves from Kauvery Hospital for his Gopalapuram residencehttps://t.co/FZNC7XlNFC pic.twitter.com/FxkGNLs8p4

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) August 7, 2018

• In a statement, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan said as there were several cases pending in the Madras High Court over the burial of leaders at the Marina Beach, the government was not able to allot space near the Annadurai memorial. According to her, Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said two acres land would be allotted for Karunanidhi's burial near Gandhi Mandapam on Sardar Patel Road which already houses memorials for K. Kamaraj and others.
• Controversy erupts as AIADMK government rejects DMK demand for giving space for M Karunanidhi's burial at Marina.

TN Govt turns down DMK's plea to lay Karunanidhi to rest at Anna Memorial along Marina. TN Govt says, "Anna Memorial can't be granted for Karunanidhi as court cases pending on memorials. Karunanidhi can be laid to rest in a 2 acre plot near Gandhi Mandapam (Adyar)" @abpnewstv

— Pinky Rajpurohit (@Madrassan) August 7, 2018

• PM Narendra Modi will travel to Chennai tomorrow morning, to pay his last respects to Kalaignar Karunanidhi, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu: PMO tweets
• BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha Expressed grief over death of DMK president M Karunanidhi and urged the Centre to announce a national mourning for him.
• Loved by the Tamilian people, #Kalaignar strode the stage of Tamil politics, like a colossus, for over 6 decades. In his passing, India has lost a great son. My condolences to his family as also to the millions of Indians who grieve for their beloved leader tonight: Rahul Gandhi

Loved by the Tamilian people, Kalaignar strode the stage of Tamil politics, like a colossus, for over 6 decades. In his passing, India has lost a great son. My condolences to his family as also to the millions of Indians who grieve for their beloved leader tonight.#Karunanidhi

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 7, 2018

• PM Narendra Modi to travel to Chennai tomorrow morning, to pay his last respects to M Karunanidhi
• Feel very sad to hear about the demise of this great leader. May his soul rest in peace. Its a great loss to the nation: Arvind Kejriwal
• Tamil Nadu government declares holiday tomorrow following Karunanidhi's death. State to observe 7-days mourning.
• President Ram Nath Kovind tweets: "Extremely sad to learn of the passing of Thiru M. Karunanidhi. A doyen of our public life, as a contributor to the development of Tamil Nadu and of India he has few peers. Our country is poorer today. My condolences to his family and millions of well-wisher."

Extremely sad to learn of the passing of Thiru M. Karunanidhi. A doyen of our public life, as a contributor to the development of Tamil Nadu and of India he has few peers. Our country is poorer today. My condolences to his family and millions of well-wishers #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 7, 2018

• Kalaignar Karunanidhi stood for regional aspirations as well as national progress. He was steadfastly committed to the welfare of Tamils and ensured that Tamil Nadu’s voice was effectively heard: PM Modi.

Kalaignar Karunanidhi stood for regional aspirations as well as national progress. He was steadfastly committed to the welfare of Tamils and ensured that Tamil Nadu’s voice was effectively heard. pic.twitter.com/l7ypa1HJNC

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2018

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoles Karunanidhi's demise: "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."
• Kauveri Hospital statement on Karunanidhi's death: "With deep anguish we announce the demise of our beloved Kalaignar M Karunanidhi on 07.08.2018 at 6.10 pm. Despite the best possible efforts by our team of doctors and nurses to resuscitate him, he failed to respond. We profoundly mourn the loss of one of the tallest leaders of India and we share the grief of family members and fellow Tamilians worldwide."