CHENNAI : Hundreds of DMK cadre and supporters, who have gathered outside Kauvery Hospital here, have come from different parts of the city and even the state. But the one common thread that connects them all is their enthusiasm to see their favourite leader and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, wave back at them once again.“Our sun will rise again. Our ‘Kalaignar’ will rise again,” said Muthazhagan, a party cadre from Sivagangai district, who arrived three days ago, once he heard about Karunanidhi’s decline in health.
Loud and unwavering sloganeering by fans and party functionaries which commenced when the leader was shifted from his house in Gopalapuram to the hospital after a fall in blood pressure, still has not dropped in decibels even after three days.A majority of women, who had gathered there, have been a part of the DMK women’s wing for more than three decades. One such supporter is Vatsala, a member of the party women’s wing from Royapuram, who arrived at the hospital in Alwarpet a day ago with three more members. “He is like a father to me. We have all been praying that he gets well soon. Since I was 10 years old, I have admired and respected Kalaignar for he has always been a great leader.” said the 62-year-old.
Thangaselvi, a DMK women’s wing member from Egmore, said she had always voted for the DMK since she was 18-years-old and her whole family members have been ardent DMK supporters as far as she remembered. “It was Kalaignar who blessed my wedding and all of my sisters’ weddings. I still remember the instance in which he lifted the ‘thaali’ and gave it to my husband. He has done a lot for the development of women,” said the 42-year-old who has come with her family.
With a black-and-red scarf loosely wrapped around her neck, Malliga, a resident of Maduravoyal, said that she had just visited a temple before reaching the hospital to offer her prayers for Karunanidhi’s good health. “I haven’t seen my children in two days but I will not return home until I hear the news that Kalaiganar is safe from danger,” she said.
Holding posters, party flags and placards of Karunanidhi and Stalin, these supporters have not lost hope and eagerly wait outside the barricades to get an update about their leader’s health condition. “I applied for half a day leave and came today afternoon. It is because of Kalaignar that many people like me cleared the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission exam and got a job in government office. I owe my entire career to Kalaignar. My conscience did not allow me to stay at home when Kalaignar is ailing,” said a revenue officer who works at Ezhilagam, a resident of Kelambakkam.
The flyover on TTK Road was speckled with several motorists who stopped to catch a glimpse of the crowd gathered there. Around 200-odd policemen were deployed to reign in the crowd which turned unruly every time a car with a DMK flag entered or exited the hospital premises. Every hour, members of the Kauvery Hospital were requesting through microphones party cadre, supporters and media personnel not to disturb the ailing patients who were trying to enter its premises.
Leader hails MK’s ‘medical miracle’
Chennai: From a no-hope situation caused by a falling pulse rate, DMK chief M Karunanidhi made a dramatic comeback on Sunday night, setting at rest all rumours and speculations. Even the doctors attending to him round the clock had been surprised, party sources said. They stated that his pulse rate dropped below 30, forcing his close relatives to make up their mind to face the worst. However, the pulse rate improved much better with the leader’s tenacity. Looking emotional and overwhelmed, MDMK general secretary Vaiko termed it a “medical miracle”.