CHENNAI: Setting a record, DMK president M Karunanidhi is completing 60 years as a legislator, winning 13 elections without a break and contesting the polls on the ticket of the same party on
all occasions.
Known for his fiery protests and captivating oratory, the 92-year-old leader stepped into the Assembly in April, 1957, after being elected from Kulithalai segment in Tiruchy district. He represented Thanjavur in 1962 and Saidapet in Chennai on 1967 and 1971 before switching over to Anna Nagar, where he successfully contested in 1977 and 1980.
In 1989, Karunanidhi was elected to the Assembly from Harbour and became the Chief Minister several years after losing power to his friend-turned-foe M G Ramachandran. He faced the polls in the same constituency in 1991 as well.
Chepauk had sent him to the Assembly thrice, in 1996, 2001 and 2006 and in the subsequent election, the DMK patriarch switched to his native town Thiruvarur. In 2016, he set the record of winning by biggest margin from the same constituency, according to MK Stalin, working president of the DMK.
In an epistle to party cadre, Stalin said that his father had the privilege of being a member of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.
Karunanidhi, hailing from Thirukuvalai village near Thiruvarur, had been the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times. He had upheld the values of the House and ensured the presence of the Opposition members even when they faced action from the Speaker, Stalin noted.
Saying that his performance in the Assembly still guides the party legislators, Stalin wished the DMK patriarch a speedy recovery and Tamil Nadu is waiting to hear his voice echo again in the House.