Actor Rajinikanth questioned the absence of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the State funeral of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at the Marina,
Speaking at a memorial event organised by the Tamil Film Industry on Monday evening, he said, “I was very proud to see that several Chief Ministers as well as leaders from the Centre were present at the final rites of Mr. Karunanidhi, where he was given a State funeral. With all of these dignitaries present, shouldn't the Tamil Nadu CM too have been there to pay his last respects? What will people think of this?”
“Are you all MGR or Jayalalithaa? There was previously a clash of great leaders in politics, but not anymore,” he said, questioning the ruling party over its absence at the State funeral.
He also said that had the Tamil Nadu government challenged the court’s decision to grant burial space for the former Chief Minister at the Marina, he himself would have participated in protests. “I got very emotional seeing Mr. Stalin shed tears and I want to tell him that he has his family and his party for support. His father’s path and achievements will show him the way,” he said.
Stating that it was tough for him to imagine a Tamil Nadu without Kalaignar Karunanidhi, Mr. Rajinikanth credited the late DMK leader with having been instrumental in inspiring lakhs of people to come into politics.
“I don’t want anyone to mistake me, but I feel that Kalaignar’s photo should be kept next to M.G.Ramachandran’s photo when the AIADMK’s annual celebrations are held,” he said.
