'India lost a great son,' Rahul Gandhi condoles Karunanidhi's death

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took to Twitter to offer his condolences for the demise of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M Karunanidhi.

"Loved by the Tamilian people, Kalaignar strode the stage of Tamil politics, like a colossus, for over 6 decades. In his passing, India has lost a great son. My condolences to his family as also to the millions of Indians who grieve for their beloved leader tonight. #Karunanidhi," Gandhi tweeted.

Loved by the Tamilian people, Kalaignar strode the stage of Tamil politics, like a colossus, for over 6 decades. In his passing, India has lost a great son. My condolences to his family as also to the millions of Indians who grieve for their beloved leader tonight.#Karunanidhi

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 7, 2018

Congress on Tuesday offered 'heartfelt condolences' from the party's official Twitter handle.

"Our heartfelt condolences on the passing of one of India's most dynamic leaders, M. Karunanidhi. He was a true representative of our democracy and worked tirelessly for the people of Tamil Nadu. His contributions to the nation shall never be forgotten," Congress said on Twitter.

Our heartfelt condolences on the passing of one of India's most dynamic leaders, M. Karunanidhi. He was a true representative of our democracy and worked tirelessly for the people of Tamil Nadu. His contributions to the nation shall never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/gCunM2wr1D

— Congress (@INCIndia) August 7, 2018

The 94-year-old five-time Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi passed away on Tuesday. The veteran politician is survived by his sons, former union minister MK Alagiri, DMK working president MK Stalin, and his daughter, Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi. The DMK patriarch was admitted to the hospital on July 28 after he contracted urinary tract infection and developed a high fever.

Karunanidhi, one of the foremost Dravidian politicians in modern times, died in Chennai on Tuesday, after waging a grim battle for life, the hospital where he was admitted for the last 11 days said.

"With deep anguish, we announce the demise of our beloved Kalaignar M Karunanidhi on 07.08.2018 at 6.10 pm. Despite the best possible efforts by our team of doctors and nurses to resuscitate him, he failed to respond. We profoundly mourn the loss of one of the tallest leaders of India and we share the grief of family members and fellow Tamilians worldwide," a press release by Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Executive Director of Kauvery Hospital, said.

A five-term Chief Minister and a 13-time MLA since 1957, he never lost an election he contested. Days before his death, he completed 49 years as DMK president.

And in a career spanning 80 years, he wore different hats a student leader, scriptwriter, orator and politician.

Karunanidhi, born Dakshinamurthy, changed his name to Karunanidhi as it is a pure Tamil name without any Brahminical tinge. Beginning his political career as a 14-year-old activist in the anti-Hindi agitation of the late 1930s, he quickly became the voice of the surging Dravidian movement led by 'Periyar' EV Ramasami, CN Annadurai 'Anna', and others.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu government has declared a week-long mourning over the death of DMK patriarch. The state government has declared a public holiday on Wednesday.