Chennai, Feb 3 (PTI): Marking the 56th death anniversary of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) founder and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C N Annadurai, Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin led a peace march in Chennai on Monday. Stalin, accompanied by senior party leaders and cadres, paid floral tributes at Annadurai’s memorial at Marina Beach.
The solemn march commenced from the Anna statue on Wallajah Road and proceeded towards the Anna Memorial at Kamarajar Salai-Anna Square, covering a distance of nearly two kilometers. Senior DMK leaders including Duraimurugan, T R Baalu, A Raja, R S Barathi, T K S Elangovan, and Ma Subramanian participated in the rally. Stalin showered flowers at the memorial of Annadurai, who was the first DMK leader to become Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister by defeating the Congress in 1967. Similar peace marches and tribute events were organized by DMK cadres across the state.
AIADMK and AMMK Leaders Pay Respects
In a parallel tribute, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, accompanied by former ministers D Jayakumar and K P Munusamy, visited the Anna memorial and paid floral respects. Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, along with his supporters, also paid homage. AIADMK MP D Thambidurai and other party members honored Annadurai by offering flowers at his statue in Delhi. Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) chief T T V Dhinakaran marked the occasion with tributes in Madurai.
Stalin’s Tribute and Political Undertones
In his message, Stalin quoted Annadurai’s words praising social reformer Periyar E V Ramasamy’s contributions to the fight for social justice. Without directly naming any individual or party, the DMK chief remarked that those who instigate quarrels would ultimately retreat. Stalin’s reference to Periyar assumes political significance, given the recent criticism of the social reformer by Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman. The remarks have stirred controversy, especially as both DMK and NTK are key contenders in the upcoming Erode East bypoll on February 5.
Statewide Commemorations
In observance of Annadurai’s death anniversary, special prayers were conducted in state-administered temples under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Additionally, community feasts were organized, with ministers and elected representatives participating in the event.
The commemorative events underscored the enduring legacy of Annadurai, a stalwart of Tamil politics, and reflected the continuing influence of his ideology on Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
The solemn march commenced from the Anna statue on Wallajah Road and proceeded towards the Anna Memorial at Kamarajar Salai-Anna Square, covering a distance of nearly two kilometers. Senior DMK leaders including Duraimurugan, T R Baalu, A Raja, R S Barathi, T K S Elangovan, and Ma Subramanian participated in the rally. Stalin showered flowers at the memorial of Annadurai, who was the first DMK leader to become Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister by defeating the Congress in 1967. Similar peace marches and tribute events were organized by DMK cadres across the state.
AIADMK and AMMK Leaders Pay Respects
In a parallel tribute, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, accompanied by former ministers D Jayakumar and K P Munusamy, visited the Anna memorial and paid floral respects. Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, along with his supporters, also paid homage. AIADMK MP D Thambidurai and other party members honored Annadurai by offering flowers at his statue in Delhi. Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) chief T T V Dhinakaran marked the occasion with tributes in Madurai.
Stalin’s Tribute and Political Undertones
In his message, Stalin quoted Annadurai’s words praising social reformer Periyar E V Ramasamy’s contributions to the fight for social justice. Without directly naming any individual or party, the DMK chief remarked that those who instigate quarrels would ultimately retreat. Stalin’s reference to Periyar assumes political significance, given the recent criticism of the social reformer by Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman. The remarks have stirred controversy, especially as both DMK and NTK are key contenders in the upcoming Erode East bypoll on February 5.
Statewide Commemorations
In observance of Annadurai’s death anniversary, special prayers were conducted in state-administered temples under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Additionally, community feasts were organized, with ministers and elected representatives participating in the event.
The commemorative events underscored the enduring legacy of Annadurai, a stalwart of Tamil politics, and reflected the continuing influence of his ideology on Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
