Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founder Vijayakanth's mortal remains will be laid to rest at the party headquarters in Chennai at 4.45 PM on Friday, said a release from the party. 'Captain' Vijayakanth, the former Opposition leader of Tamil Nadu, passed away due to pneumonia at a private hospital in Chennai on Thursday. He was 71.
On Friday, Vijayakanth's mortal remains were placed at his residence in Virugambakkam. After the CM and ministers paid their last respects, the body was taken to his party HQ at Koyambedu. The journey of less than 10 kilometers took over three hours due to the actor-politician's fans surrounding the vehicle on the roads.
In a statement, DMDK said, “The news of DMDK founder Captain’s demise at 6.10 AM on Thursday is a huge loss to the DMDK, Tamil film fraternity and all Tamil people in the world. It is with deepest sadness that we inform you that the Captain's last rites will be held tomorrow, Friday 29.12.2023 at 4.45 pm at the DMDK headquarters in Koyambedu."
Praised as 'Karuppu MGR' (black MGR) by his fans for his generosity, Vijayakanth has been ill for a long time now. However, he died due to pneumonia, according to the hospital bulletin. In a press release, MIOT International Hospital said: "Captain Vijayakanth was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff he passed away in the morning on 28th December 2023."