The city was abuzz with concern on Wednesday morning, after some television channels flashed news that DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi had been admitted to hospital in a serious condition.
The rumours began after some TV channels flashed news that Karunanidhi was seriously ill. Some said he had been rushed to a hospital. Word spread and soon SMSes claiming that the DMK chief had passed away began doing the rounds.
Many reached their workplaces to find colleagues planning to leave so that they may reach home quickly to avoid possible blockades by DMK cadre. Even as the DMK went into an overdrive on social media networks to say its leader was alive and well, Karunanidhi reached the party headquarters at 11.30 am, smiling and waving to those who had gathered there and rubbished talk of his ailing health. “Some mischief mongers had spread rumours since morning. I appeal to all not to believe in such rumours,” he said.
‘I didn’t attack Ramadoss’
Karunanidhi dismissed comments made by PMK founder S Ramadoss that the Vanniyar-centric outfit would not need any political allies. “Anyone who knows the political history of Tamil Nadu will know if there is any truth to that statement. Even former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss would be able to tell you,” he said.
He also tiptoed around his own criticism of the PMK’s anti-Dalit mobilisation from a couple of days earlier, saying he had not levelled attacks against anyone.