Cadres belonging to the DMK waited patiently at Anna Arivalayam much before daybreak for a glimpse of their leader, M. Karunanidhi, on the occasion of 86th birthday.
Though no hundi was kept and no announcement was made that contributions could be made to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, some of them gave him money, totalling to about Rs.4.83 lakh, most of which was earmarked for the Relief Fund. Others brought with them a range of gifts.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary D. Raja and actor Rajinikant conveyed their greetings to him over phone.
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Puducherry Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam, Union Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs V.Narayanasamy, Bharatiya Janata Party former national vice-president L. Ganesan, Congress Legislature Party leader and deputy leader D. Sudarssanam and D. Yasodha, CPI legislature leader V. Sivapunniyam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol. Thirumavalavan, MGR Kazhagam founder RM. Veerappan were among those who went to the Arivalayam and greeted him.
CPI (Marxist) State Secretary G. Ramakrishnan sent a goodwill message to the DMK leader.