After Anna's Demise MGR only made me as Chief Minister: Karunanidhi
Fri, 2010-05-14 03:07 — editor
Sathyalaya Ramakrishnan reporting from Chennai
Chennai, 14 May, (Asiantribune.com):
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has recalled his olden days and said that his 40 years good old friend and AIADMK founder MGR only made him as Chief Minister after DMK founder Anna's demise in 1969, even his (Karunanidhi) family members objected it.
The Chief Minister aired these thoughts on Thursday in the State Assembly while expressing his gratitude to MLAs who congratulated him for completing four years in office during this tenure and stepping into the 19th year as Chief Minister with time to time gap.
Karunanidhi further said, he had many differences with MGR. But when the question of appointing a successor came after Anna died, it was MGR who led the campaign to make him Anna's successor. Mr Karunanidhi also recalled that he wanted to make Mr Nedunchezhiyan as Chief Minister. "Even my family members including Murasoli Maran asked me to not to accept the Chief Ministers post but my friend MGR compelled me to accept it", Karunanidhi said.
The Chief Minister said they both (MGR and himself) attacked each other in debates.
But he could never forget his 40-year-long friendship with MGR. When he came to know about MGR's death, he rushed back from the railway station to pay his last respects.
Rationalist leader Periyar E V Ramasamy had serious differences with Rajaji, but when the latter passed away, Periyar cried inconsolably, Mr Karunanidhi recalled. ''These great leaders had set examples of the great political culture in the state.
''Now, we have the responsibility of preserving it'', he added.
Praising Sonia and Advani
Mr Karunanidhi further said, he was jealous of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and BJP leader L K Advani sharing the same platform, even though they cross swords politically.
He was yearning for such a situation in Tamil Nadu, he said, reiterating his wish that political leaders should stand together and work for welfare of the people.
Mr Karunanidhi said he always wished for a situation where leaders, cutting across party lines, meet each other and exchange pleasantries, in the state.
When he visited Delhi, he saw Ms Gandhi and Mr Advani sharing a very good rapport.
''They talk to each other without any bitterness whenever they meet at public functions. This culture should prevail in Tamil Nadu too,'' he said.
''I am jealous of this. Not because Ms Gandhi talks freely to Mr Advani. But such a situation appears to be impossible in the state'', he regretted.
Recalling that such 'political dignity' prevailed in the state till AIADMK founder and late Chief Minister MGR was at the helm, Mr Karunanidhi said but this was not the case now. ''This should change. Let us stand united and work together for the benefit of the public'', he said.
Turning nostalgic, Mr Karunanidhi said the Congress and the DMK were more like foes those days. Yet, their leaders maintained political dignity and never failed to respect each other. He said he used to hit out at former Chief Minister Kamaraj in his column every day. ''But the late leader was at my residence even before me when my mother died'', he recalled.
''Let us create an amicable situation and put an end to political animosity by paving way for dignity, discipline and decency, he exhorted as the members listened to him in rapt attention.
Fri, 2010-05-14 03:07 — editor
Sathyalaya Ramakrishnan reporting from Chennai
Chennai, 14 May, (Asiantribune.com):
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has recalled his olden days and said that his 40 years good old friend and AIADMK founder MGR only made him as Chief Minister after DMK founder Anna's demise in 1969, even his (Karunanidhi) family members objected it.
The Chief Minister aired these thoughts on Thursday in the State Assembly while expressing his gratitude to MLAs who congratulated him for completing four years in office during this tenure and stepping into the 19th year as Chief Minister with time to time gap.
Karunanidhi further said, he had many differences with MGR. But when the question of appointing a successor came after Anna died, it was MGR who led the campaign to make him Anna's successor. Mr Karunanidhi also recalled that he wanted to make Mr Nedunchezhiyan as Chief Minister. "Even my family members including Murasoli Maran asked me to not to accept the Chief Ministers post but my friend MGR compelled me to accept it", Karunanidhi said.
The Chief Minister said they both (MGR and himself) attacked each other in debates.
But he could never forget his 40-year-long friendship with MGR. When he came to know about MGR's death, he rushed back from the railway station to pay his last respects.
Rationalist leader Periyar E V Ramasamy had serious differences with Rajaji, but when the latter passed away, Periyar cried inconsolably, Mr Karunanidhi recalled. ''These great leaders had set examples of the great political culture in the state.
''Now, we have the responsibility of preserving it'', he added.
Praising Sonia and Advani
Mr Karunanidhi further said, he was jealous of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and BJP leader L K Advani sharing the same platform, even though they cross swords politically.
He was yearning for such a situation in Tamil Nadu, he said, reiterating his wish that political leaders should stand together and work for welfare of the people.
Mr Karunanidhi said he always wished for a situation where leaders, cutting across party lines, meet each other and exchange pleasantries, in the state.
When he visited Delhi, he saw Ms Gandhi and Mr Advani sharing a very good rapport.
''They talk to each other without any bitterness whenever they meet at public functions. This culture should prevail in Tamil Nadu too,'' he said.
''I am jealous of this. Not because Ms Gandhi talks freely to Mr Advani. But such a situation appears to be impossible in the state'', he regretted.
Recalling that such 'political dignity' prevailed in the state till AIADMK founder and late Chief Minister MGR was at the helm, Mr Karunanidhi said but this was not the case now. ''This should change. Let us stand united and work together for the benefit of the public'', he said.
Turning nostalgic, Mr Karunanidhi said the Congress and the DMK were more like foes those days. Yet, their leaders maintained political dignity and never failed to respect each other. He said he used to hit out at former Chief Minister Kamaraj in his column every day. ''But the late leader was at my residence even before me when my mother died'', he recalled.
''Let us create an amicable situation and put an end to political animosity by paving way for dignity, discipline and decency, he exhorted as the members listened to him in rapt attention.
