CHENNAI: Despite Stalin extending a personal invitation, DMDK leader Vijayakant chose to avoid attending the wedding or reception of DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s grandson Arulnidhi on Monday. On the other hand, MDMK leader Vaiko shared the dais with his mentor and went nostalgic about his time in the party.
Speaking on the occasion, Vaiko recalled Karunanidhi’s visit to his house 44 years ago and how the marriage of his younger brother was presided over by the DMK leader. Further, Vaiko said the Dravidian movement was built on the sacrifices of several cadre and it could not be destroyed even in a deluge. Indirectly referring to Vaiko’s remarks on the invincibility of the Dravidian movement, Karunanidhi, in a short speech due to illness, said principles of the Dravidian movement would not wither.
Conspicuous by his absence, Vijayakant deputed his brother-in-law LK Sudheesh for the marriage even as he attended the marriage of a party functionary in the city. The actor-turned-politician did not even attend the reception of Arulnidhi, son of MK Thamizharasu. An ally of the BJP, Vijayakant did not greet Karunanidhi on his 92nd birthday last week either. Even when several leaders expressed condolences over the death of Shanmugasundarathammal, Karunanidhi’s elder sister, Vijayakant stayed silent. His actions over the past few weeks are seen as an attempt to evade DMK’s continuous efforts to build bridges with him and get a commitment for alliance for the 2016 Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, PMK founder S Ramadoss, TMC leader GK Vasan, actors Rajinikanth and Satyaraj were among those who attended the wedding.