DMK treasurer and Deputy Floor Leader in the Assembly Duraimurugan broke down in the Assembly on Thursday while paying tributes to late party president and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
Mr. Duraimurugan, while recalling his personal equations with Karunanidhi, at one point began to sob loudly, moving some of the other DMK legislators to tears and briefly took a break before concluding his tributes. Leader of the Opposition and Karunanidhi’s son M.K. Stalin consoled him.
Mr. Duraimurugan, who was called upon by Speaker P. Dhanapal to speak on the condolence resolution moved by Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam, said though he was enthusiastic to address the House on other days, he regretted this day when he had to speak on the condolence resolution of his leader.
Lauding Karunanidhi for making several contributions to society, Mr. Duraimurugan recalled the late DMK leader’s initiatives to ensure equality of women in property rights, representation for women in local bodies and for the uplift of the downtrodden and marginalised sections.
Ensuring Dalit representation in the judiciary, taking action against manual scavenging, renaming of then Madras to Chennai, getting Chief Ministers the privilege to hoist the national flag on Independence Days and making Tamil Thai Vaazthu song, the State anthem, were among Karunanidhi’s achievements, Mr. Duraimurugan recalled.
Recalling his association with Karunanidhi since his (Duraimurugan) college days, he said it was the former Chief Minister who was instrumental for his present stature. “He personally enquired about my health when I was not well,” recalled Mr. Duraimurugan, citing an incident when Karunanidhi made phone calls to boost his confidence ahead of a scheduled surgery.
