M Karunanidhi (1924-2018): An eventful Dravidian political journey

Joining politics at an age of 14

Karunanidhi had joined politics at the age of 14. He founded the student wing of the Dravidian movement called Tamil Nadu Tamil Manavar Mandram. Also he started a newspaper, which later became DMK's official newspaper (Murasoli).

Entering Tamil Nadu Assembly

At the age of 33, Karunanidhi entered the Tamil Nadu Assembly for the first time by winning his state polls from Kulithalai in 1957. Five years later, he became the deputy leader of the opposition in the Assembly.

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Becoming Chief Minister

After the death of Annadurai, the first Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Karunanidhi assumed the post for the inaugural time in 1969. He remained in his office till 1976.

Sacking MGR and facing electoral defeats

Following the emergency period, Karunanidhi sacked his one time friend MG Ramachandran, who later floated his own party. Karunanidhi had to suffer successive electoral defeats in the hands of MGR.

Brief stint as Chief Minister in late '80s

In late 1980s, Karunanidhi had a brief period when he ruled the southern state as the Chief Minister. But after death of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Karunanidhi's government was dissolved owing to an adverse law and order situation.

Sweeping victory in 1996

Much like a phoenix, Karunanidhi swept the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls in 1996 to once again assume the Chief Minister's post. He had a dream run in the Dravidian politics for next five years.

Defeat to arch-rival Jayalalithaa in 2001

After enjoying power for five years, Karunanidhi had to lose to her arch-rival late J Jayalalithaa's AIADMK, a party which was formed by MGR after the latter was ousted from the DMK.

Return to power

But fortune once again smiled at his sword. In 2006, Karunanidhi passed over other strong Tamil political icon Jayalalithaa to become the Chief Minister for one last time.

Controversies

Karunanidhi's political career was not free from controversies as several corruption charges were leveled against him and his party and family members, many of whom joined politics. Karunanidhi's son Stalin's rise to the topmost position of the party was often questioned by political leaders. His daughter Kanimozhi was also embroiled in the 2G scam and had to spend time in jail for months. 

Mid-night arrest at the behest of Jayalalithaa 

In June 2001, Karunanidhi was stunned when he was arrested by cops who literally dragged him out of his residence at then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's order. The incident has remained as one of the most surprising happenings in the history of Tamil politics. His party leaders A Raja and MK Kanimozhi (who was also Karunanidhi's daughter) were accused in the 2G spectrum case which had rocked the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. However, in 2017, all the accused were acquitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) owing to the absence of evidence.