Rajinikanth lashes out at Tamil Nadu CM for skipping Karunanidhi's funeral

Superstar Rajinikanth has lashed out at Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palanisamy for not attending the funeral of five-time chief minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi, who died a week ago in Chennai's Kauvery hospital of multiple organ failure.

Participating in an event organized by the Tamil film industry to pay homage to the great screenplay and dialogue writer of yesteryear, Rajinikanth said, "I cannot imagine an India without Kalaignar. Tamil Nadu has lost one of its big identities.

"If there is a big function, I do not know whom they will invite from now on. When someone of significance comes to the state, I do not know whom they will call upon.

"The credit for having carried a party on his shoulders for over 50 years, despite a number of backstabbings and sinister attempts to disintegrate the party, goes to this leader, who became the party's head at the young age of 45.

"He was the reason why several lakhs of cadres came to politics. He was also the reason why several thousands took up politics full time. The AIADMK's annual function is to be held soon and, in that, a portrait of MGR is to be kept. I insist that a picture of Dr Karunanidhi be kept next to that picture of MGR in the function as the AIADMK was formulated because of Kalaignar," the actor said in his speech to an auditorium full of film personalities.

After listing out Karunanidhi's achievements in the literary and political fields, Rajinikanth said, "I don't have to tell you about his cinematic journey. He was the man who created two towering personalities in films. It was he who made MGR, an actor, into a star with his dialogues in Malaikallan (1954). Again it was Karunanidhi who made Sivaji Ganesan into a superstar with a single film, Parasakthi (1952). 

"I was unable to bear the news of his demise. I kept thinking of the times I had spent with him. Having watched TV, I knew that there were huge crowds that had gathered to see him. Despite that, I went to see him but couldn't. I returned without being able to pay homage.

"Early next morning, I went and paid my homage. He wasn't in power but despite that the personnel of the three armed forces gave him the respect that was due to him.

"However, I have a grudge. When the chief ministers of all neighbouring states were present at his funeral to pay their respects, should the chief minister of Tamil Nadu not have been there? Should the entire cabinet not have been there? What will others think? Who do you think you are? MGR? Or Jayalalithaa?

"However, one consolation was the fact that the state government did not choose to appeal against the Madras high court verdict granting the great leader space on the Marina," he said in another salvo at the AIADMK government, which had initially refused permission to bury Karunanidhi on the famous beach.

The actor told Karunanidhi's son, MK Stalin, who was present on the occasion, "I couldn't bear it when Stalin broke down and cried like a child. Don't worry. The great man's spirit will show you the way. I am happy that I have had an opportunity to spend a lot of time and discuss a lot of issues with him."