Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that the demise of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham chief Karunanidhi was not just a loss for Tamil Nadu but for all of India.
Expressing his condolences over the death of M Karunanidhi, who had passed away on Tuesday after battling illness in hospital for nearly two weeks, Naidu said that Karunanidhi had contributed immensely for the upliftment of marginalized communities and the poor. He said that being a five-term Chief Minister, 13-time MLA, and spending 50-years as party president, Karunanidhi’s 75-year political career was inspirational for everyone.
“Extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Shri Thiru M Karunanidhi garu. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and Tamilians across the world,” (sic) wrote, AP Leader of the Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy on Twitter.
94-year-old Karunanidhi, addressed as Kalaignar (artiste) passed away on Tuesday at Kauvery Hospital. He was declared dead at 6.10 pm by the doctors and the announcement was made at 6.40 pm.
The death of the DMK patriarch was mourned by several leaders including the Prime Minister and United States Ambassador for India Ken Juster.
“On behalf of the United States Mission in India, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of former Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi and the people of Tamil Nadu. He will be remembered for his years of public service to his state and the country at large,” Ken expressed on Twitter.
A health bulletin released at 4.30 pm by Kauvery hospital on Tuesday, stated that the veteran leader’s health condition was ‘extremely critical’ and ‘unstable’.
"Despite maximum medical support, his vital organ functions continue to deteriorate. His condition is extremely critical and unstable," the bulletin read.
A day before, on Monday, the hospital authorities had announced that there has been a decline in the health condition of Karunanidhi and said that the following 24 hours would be crucial for the prognosis.
The DMK President was admitted in the hospital following sudden decrease in his blood pressure late on July 26. Following the stabilisation of his blood pressure, he was admitted to the ICU for Urinary Tract Infection. His health had been fluctuating since then.