In 8 Points: Who Was DMK Chief Muthuvel Karunanidhi?

Muthuvel Karunanidhi: The leader who was also popularly called Kalaingar, the Tamil word for an artist, for his contribution to cinema and literature was one of the favourites of DMK founder Annadurai.

M G Ramachandran, his junior and one of the most charismatic actors of his time, supported Karunanidhi in his endeavour to edge past Nedunchezhian, who was the number two in the Annadurai cabinet. AFP Photo

NEW DELHI: DMK chief M Karunanidhi, a colossus of Dravidian politics, died on Tuesday. The 94-year-old five-time Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi had seen a recent decline in his medical condition and was admitted at the Kauvery hospital. The leader who is also popularly called Kalaingar, the Tamil word for an artist, for his contribution to cinema and literature was one of the favourites of DMK founder Annadurai.

Who is Muthuvel Karunanidhi?

1. Born on June 3, 1924, as Dakshinamurthi, in Nagapattinam district, Karunanidhi never lost an election, having been elected to the state Assembly 13 times since 1957.
2. Karunanidhi married thrice, namely to Padmavathi Ammal, Dayalu Ammal and Rajathi Ammal.
3. He had four sons, namely M. K. Muthu, M. K. Alagiri, M. K. Stalin, and M. K. Tamilarasu and two daughters, Selvi and Kanimozhi. M. K. Muthu, his eldest son, was born to Padmavathy, who died early. Azhagiri, Stalin, Selvi and Tamilarasu were born to Dayalu, while Kanimozhi is the only daughter from his third wife, Rajathi.
4. Karunanidhi's remarkable literary skills and success as a screenwriter and subsequent popularity played a big role in his rise in the DMK.
5. His successful electoral debut was seen in 1957 when he won from Kulithalai constituency, one among the first 15 MLAs elected to the then Madras Legislative Assembly on a DMK ticket.
6. He went on to become chief minister of the state for five times after the death of Annadurai in 1969 besides serving DMK as the party president.
7. Karunanidhi was Tamil Nadu Chief Minister five times between 1969-71, 71-76, 89-91, 96-01 and 2006-11.
8. He had the record of winning his seat in every election in which he had participated in a political career spanning more than 60 years.

In the last 10 days, a virtual Who's Who of Indian politics - right from President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and leaders from various parties including the BJP, Left and others - visited the hospital to express their wishes for Karunanidhi's speedy recovery.