NAMAKKAL: After cancelling the proposed visit to Namakkal because of his father and DMK president M Karunanidhi’s illness, party treasurer MK Stalin finally came by road on Saturday evening to take part in the competition for students to mark the 108th birth anniversary of former chief minister CN Annadurai. He stayed in Namakkal to distribute prizes to the winners on Sunday.
“The DMK president M Karunanidhi is fine and recovering well,” said Stalin. Marking Annadurai’s 108th birthday, the DMK youth wing had organised oratorical, essay writing and poetry competitions for students in every district for the past two months. The State-level finals were held on Saturday in Namakkal and more than 200 students participated. At first the DMK high command announced that Stalin would inaugurate the finals on Saturday and distribute the prizes on Sunday. But because Karunanidhi was admitted to hospital on Thursday, the DMK treasurer of Namakkal unit said Stalin’s two-day visit was cancelled.
After good signs of recovery of his father, Stalin came to Namakkal from Chennai by road on Saturday evening. Speaking to students and cadre, Stalin said, “As the DMK chief was admitted to hospital, I could not come on Friday. But I instructed the party officials to conduct the competitions as per schedule. The district party officials urged me to participate in the prize distribution. The doctors told me that the DMK chief was fine and recovering well. So I came to this function.”
Stalin said every year on behalf of the youth wing competitions for school students were organised to mark Annadurai’s birth anniversary. The winners get `25,000, `15,000 and `10,000 for the first three places, respectively. Till date, DMK spent `6.70 crore in prizes to 17,961 students who took part in competitions to mark Annadurai’s and DMK chief Karunanidhi’s birthdays.
Actors, Narayanasamy visit MK at hospital
Chennai: Several leaders and prominent persons continued to visit the Kauvery Hospital on Sunday to inquire about the health condition of DMK chief M Karunanidhi. Vishal, actor and general secretary of South Indian Artistes’ Association, and comedian Vadivel visited the hospital and inquired about the health of the DMK leader. Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, accompanied by some of his Cabinet colleagues, also visited the DMK leader. Speaking to reporters, Narayansamy said, “I was told he is improving well and return home in a couple of days.”