Karunanidhi demands regional autonomy for Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi offering floral tributes to the statue of the late C N Annadurai at Valluvar Kottam, said “let us take vow today to strengthen the demands of Annadurai, constantly expressed by him in the parliament and in the minds of the people, for the regional autonomy to the states, and give voice to his dream.

Flags and festoons filled the city as Chennai woke to celebrate the birth centenary celebrations of DMK founder and former chief minister C N Annadurai, a man who changed the political spectrum of the southern state in 1960s. Festivities also marked across Tamil Nadu today, the completion of the year-long centenary celebrations and 101st birthday of Annadurai..

Valluvar Kottam wore a festive look and overflowed with volunteers and DMK party cadres as the party supremo Karunanidhi and Deputy CM M K Stalin arrived. The DMK volunteer wing received the duo and ministers with a special reception.

Chief Minister K. Karunanidhi, M K Stalin and their team of ministers offered floral tributes to the statue of Annadurai, and also to the portrait of his mentor Anna. To mark the occasion the CM planted a tree sapling near the Anna statue at Valluvar Kottam.

“Let us take vow today to strengthen the demands of Annadurai, constantly expressed by him in the parliament and in the minds of the people, for the regional autonomy to the states, and give voice to his dream.”

Finance Minister Anbazhagan, Electricity Minister Arcot Veeraswami, Ministers Paruthi Ilamvazhuthi, Duraimurugan, Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja, Jagathratchagan, MPs T R Baalu, Kanimozhi, Mayor M Subramanian and other MPs and MLAs were present.

People from all walks of life joined the celebrations as party flags fluttered and songs eulogising Annadurai, filled the air.

In the evening the Anna valedictory function was held at Madras University Centenary Hall, presided by the Chief Minister. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherji released a five rupee commemorative coin with Anna’s image and signature embossed on it. Mr. Stalin launched a web site on Annadurai.

The DMK has planned a mega event at Kancheepuram, near here, on September26, which Mr Karunanidhi would chair. To perpetuate the memory of Anna, a pillar will be unveiled at the entry point of Kancheepuram. The event will also see Mr Karunanidhi and other leaders conferred with awards.

Festivities at the AIADMK camp

For the Opposition AIADMK also, the day was filled with celebrations. The party chief J Jayalalithaa paid floral tribute to the Anna’s portrait and released a special booklet on the late leader. The first copy was received by party’s election secretary Pollachi Jayaraman. She said “ to fulfil Anna’s dreams and to protect Tamils’ rights let us vow to bring back MGR’s golden rule in the state” in the year of Anna’s 101st birth year.

The AIADM K partymen led by presidium chairman E Madhusoodanan, treasurer O Pannerselvam, E V K Sulochana Sampath, MGR Mandram Secretary Jayakumar, Thambidurai, Semmalai and P, Valarmathi paid floral tributes the the Anna’s portrait kept below the statue of Anna at the Anna Salai.

The opposition AIADMK has planned a five-day event across the state and Vaiko’s MDMK, too, has organised a rally at Tiruchy. Affectionately called ‘Anna’ by scores of his followers, the Dravidian stalwart was instrumental in installing the DMK government in Tamil Nadu for the first time in 1967.

127 cops get Anna medals

The state government has decorated 127 police perlsonnel with the chief minister’s Anna medals in connection with the Anna’s birth anniversary.

According to a press release 100 police personnel from the rank of superintendent to constable, 10 personnel from Fire and rescue services, 10 from the jail department, five home guards and two Superintendent of Police are the beneficiaries.

Anna name manthra

Born in a weaver's family in Kancheepuram in 1909, Annadurai had bhis bachelor’s degree from the Pachaiyappa's College in Chennai in 1930. He jumped into politics two years later when the freedom struggle was at its peak. Anna was attracted by Ramaswamy Periyar who was leading the Justice Party.

Annadurai later joined the Dravidar Kazhagam party, founded by rationalist Periyar E V Ramasamy. However, Anna broke ranks with him after 'Periyar' married Maniammai, a woman 40 years younger to him. He floated a new party called Dravidar Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

When Periyar declared the Independence Day (August 15, 1947 ) as a "day of mourning," Annadurai opposed the move.

Anna, known for his oratorical skills and proficiency in both Tamil and English, was also a literary figure and penned revolutionary plays such as "Velaikkari"(housemaid), which was also made into a film.

The DMK went to polls in 1957 and won 15 Assembly seats, Annadurai himself being elected as the legislature party leader. In the next election in 1967, the party captured power for the first time, and Anna became the Chief Minister; since then it has been Dravidian parties rule in the state, all in the name of Anna, the manthra..

- Asian Tribune -