DMK, MK Stalin remember M Karunanidhi on birth anniversary

Karunanidhi, a five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who had switched to politics from screenwriting, died on Aug 7.

Karunanidi's DMK and its current president MK Stalin also remembered the southern leader on this important day of the year.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Fondly remembering M Karunanidhi Ji, former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, on his birth anniversary. He was a statesman and a great leader, loved by all @mkstalin @arivalayam."

M Karunanidhi: A screenwriter turned politician

Born in 1924, in Thirukkuvalai village in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, Karunanidhi was inclined to creative fields showing an avid interest in drama, poetry, and literature during his schooling.

In his career, Karunanidhi served as the chief minister of the state of Tamil Nadu for five separate terms between 1969 and 2011.

Before entering politics Karunanidhi worked in the Tamil film industry as a screenwriter. He has also made contributions to Tamil literature, having written stories, plays, novels, and a multiple-volume memoir.

Karunanidhi's political initiation began as early as at the age of 14, when he was moved by a speech of Alagiriswamii of the Justice Party, and participated in Anti-Hindi agitations.

He first became an MLA at the age of 33 when he entered the Tamil Nadu assembly by winning the Kulithalai seat in the 1957 election. He became the DMK treasurer in 1961 and deputy leader of opposition in the state assembly in the year 1962 and when the DMK came to power in 1967, he became the Minister for Public Works.

In 1969 he became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time.

He had opposed the Emergency imposed by late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 and had to face the wrath of Gandhi as his government was dismissed by her.

Personal Life

He was married thrice. His first wife Padmavathi is no more. His two other wives are Dayalu Ammal and Rajathiammal. He has four sons and two daughters from his marriages.

His first son is M K Muthu from his first wife.

His three sons from his second wife Dayalu are M K Alagiri, Thamizharasu and M K Stalin, who is his chosen political successor. His daughter from the second marriage is Selvi. 

His daughter Kanimozhi, who is a power centre in DMK politics as well, is from his third marriage.