M. Karunanidhi

M.Karunanidhi
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Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
Constituency	Chepauk
Personal details
Born	(1924-06-03)June 3, 1924 Thirukkuvalai, Tamil Nadu
Political party	DMK
Children	4 sons and 2 daughters
Residence	Chennai
As of May 31, 2006 Source: Government of Tamil Nadu

M. Karunanidhi (Tamil: மு.கருணாநிதி) or Karunanidhi Muthuvel generally referred to as M.K (Tamil: மு.க)and Dr. Kalaingar (கலைஞர்), is the present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is one of the founder members and the president of the DMK political party in the state of Tamil Nadu DMK from the death of C.N. Annadurai in 1969 till date. He has been the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times (1969-71, 1971-74, 1989-91, 1996-2001 and 2006-date). He holds the record of winning every election that he fought in his political career spanning over 60 years. He led the UPA in Tamil Nadu to win all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the 2004 Lok Sabha Elections.

Early life

He was born in a Issai vellalar caste to Thiru Muthuvelar and Thirumathi Anjugam Ammaiyar on June 3 1924 at Thirukkuvalai in the Tanjore District, (now Tiruvarur) Tamil Nadu, India.

Politics

He took over as the Chief Minister on 13 May 2006 after his coalition defeated his main opponent J. Jayalalithaa in the May 2006 elections. He currently represents the constituency of Chepauk in Central Chennai in the Tamil Nadu state Legislative Assembly. He has been elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for 11 times and once to the now abolished Tamil Nadu Legislative Council.

Karunanidhi began his career as a scriptwriter in the Tamil film industry. He is known for his wit and oratorical skills, qualities which helped his rapid rise as a popular politician. He was famous for writing historical and social (reformist) stories which propagated the socialist and rationalist ideals of the Dravidian movement to which he belonged.

Karunanidhi entered politics at the age of 14 inspired listening to a speech by Alagiriswami of the Justice Party by whom he was greatly influenced in 1932 and participated in Anti-Hindi agitations. He founded an organisation for the local youth of his locality. He circulated a hand written newspaper called Manavar Nesan to its members. Later he founded a student organisation called Tamil Nadu Tamil Manavar Manram which was the first student wing of the Dravidan Movement. Karunanidhi involved himself and the student community in social work with other members he would visit the nearby hutments to do all that was possible within his limit. Here he started a newspaper for its members which grew into Murasoli newspaper which is the DMK party's official newspaper.

Agitations

Karunanidhi has been arrested several times in long political career fighting for public causes this including against price increase,Anti-Hindi Agitation,for Eelam Tamils and other political activities.He has been arrested over 14 times. Even in jail he set up a shadow government, and allocated responsibilities to everyone of his cadres. During his periods in jail (he was incarcerated more than seven times between 1953 and 1965), Karunanidhi read and wrote extensively in prison. Karunanidhi led a struggle in a bid was instrumental in the Kallakudi struggle to rename Dalmiapuram railway Station. Karunanidhi was entrusted with the task of organizing the struggle. The cadres were divided into three batches, and Karunanidhi led the batch which lay down on the railway station, blocking the train. They were promptly arrested, the second group also met the same fate. When the third group lead by Kannadasan took its turn chaos broke, the police resorted to firing leading to the death of two. Karunanidhi was lodged in Thiruchirapalli Central Jail.

Rise to Power

Karunanidhi was first elected to the Tamil Nadu assembly in 1957. He became the DMK Treasurer in 1961 and deputy leader of opposition in 1962 and when the DMK came to power in 1967, he became the Minister for Public works. Annadurai died in 1969. Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister. He has held various positions in Tamil political scene.

MLA

• 1957:Elected from Kulithalai
• 1962:Elected from Thanjavur
• 1967:Elected from Saidapet
• 1971:Reelected from Saidapet
• 1977:Elected from Anna Nagar
• 1980:Reelected from Anna Nagar
• 1989:Elected from Harbour
• 1991:Reelected from Harbour
• 1996:Elected from Chepauk
• 2001:Reelected from Chepauk
• 2006:Reelected from Chepauk

Posts in Legislature

• 1962-1967:Deputy Leader of the Opposition
• 1967-1969:Cabinet Minister for Public Works
• 1977-1980:Leader of the Opposition
• 1980-1983: Leader of the Opposition
• 1984:Elected to Legislative Council

Chief Minister

• 1969-1971:Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
• 1971-1976:Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
• 1989-1991:Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
• 1996-2001:Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
• 2006:is currently the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Industrialization of Tamilnadu

Karunanidhi Government has built Tidel software park during earlier regime. He meets industrialists regularly to bring industries to Tamilnadu.[1]. The New Tractor Manufacturing was also started in Oragadam.The Tractor company was started by Mahindra and Nissan.

Literature

Karunanidhi is known for his knowledge in and contribution for Tamil literature. His contributions cover a wide area like poem, letters, screenplays, novels, biographies, historic novels, stageplays, dialogues, songs etc. He has skillfully crafted 'Kuraloviam' for Thirukural, Tholkaappiya Poonga, Poombukar as well as many poems, essays and books.

Some have noted interestingly Eric Miller, The Hindu Online, June 16, 2006 : "In world history, there have been very few writers who have also been successful politicians. Beyond Tamil Nadu, the only individual who comes to mind is Vaclav Havel, the last President of Czechoslovakia and the first President of the Czech Republic. In fact, the Dravidian Movement has involved a unique mix of politics and culture — classical, folk, and popular (including stage and cinema) — and a number of its central figures have been both writers and political leaders. Long live this wonderful south Indian tradition of writers as leaders!"

Books

Romapuri Pandian, Thenpandi Singam, Vellikizhamai, Nenjukku Needhi, Iniyavai Irubathu, Sanga Thamizh, Kuraloviam, Ponnar Sankar, Thirukkural Urai and many books in prose and poetry numbering more than 100.

Stageplays

Manimagudam, Ore Ratham, Palaniappan, Thooku Medai, Kagithapoo, Naane Arivali, Vellikizhamai, Udhayasooriyan, Silappathikaram, etc.

Screenplays

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V.N.Janaki in the Tamil Movie Devaki scripted by M.Karunanidhi

At the age of 20, Karunanidhi went to work for Jupiter Pictures as a script writer. His first film Rajakumari, gained him much popularity. It was here that his skills as a script writer were honed. He wrote more than 70 screenplays including Rajakumari, Abimanyu, Mandiri Kumari, Marutha Naattu Ilavarasi, Manamagan, Devaki, Parasakthi, Panam, Thirumbipaar, Naam, Manohara, Ammaiappan, Malai Kallan, Rangoon Radha, Raja Rani, Puthaiyal, Pudhumai Pithan, Ellorum Innattu Mannar, Kuravanchi, Thayillapillai, Kanchi Thalaivan, Poompuhar, Poomalai, Mani Makudam, Marakka Mudiyuma?, Avan Pithana?, Pookkari, Needhikku Thandanai, Paalaivana Rojakkal, Pasa Paravaikal, Padadha Theneekkal, Niyaya Tharasu, Pasakiligal, Paasaparavaigal, Kannamma

Editor and Publisher

He started Murasoli on 10.8.1942. He was the Founder-Editor, Publisher of " Murasoli" during his boyhood as a monthly, then a weekly, and now a daily. He used his talents as a journalist and cartoonist to bring issues relevant to his political ideology before the public. He writes daily letters addressed to his party workers by name; he has been writing these for over 50 years. In addition he has served as Editor for "Kudiyarasu" and gave life to journal - ' Mutharam'. He is the founder of State Governments News Reel, Arasu Studio and also the Government Journal "Tamil Arasu " published in Tamil and English.

World Tamil Conference

He has delivered the Special address on the inaugural day of 3rd World Tamil Conference held in Paris in the year 1970 and also on the inaugural day of 6th World Tamil Conference held in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in the year 1987

Awards and Titles

• He is affectionately referred as Kalaingar, Muthamizh Kavingar.
• Annamalai University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1971.
• He was awarded "Raja Rajan Award" by Tamil University, Thanjavur for his book "Thenpandi Singam".
• On 15 December 2006, His Excellency, the Governor of Tamil Nadu and the Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University, Thiru Surjit Singh Barnala conferred an honorary doctorate on the Chief Minister on the occasion of the 40th annual convocation
• In June 2007, the Tamil Nadu Muslim Makkal Katchi announced that it will confer the title 'Friend of the Muslim Community' ('Yaaran-E-Millath') upon M. Karunanidhi.

Controversies

He has been indicted by the Sarkaria commission for corruption in allotting tenders for the Veeranam project.

The Interim report of Justice Jain commission which oversaw the investigation into Rajiv Gandhi's assassination indicted Karunanidhi for abetting the LTTE. The interim report, recommended that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the DMK party be held responsible for abetting Rajiv Gandhi's murderers. The final report contained no such allegations [2].

Dynasty Controversy

Karunanidhi has been accused by opponents and some political observers of trying to promote his family interests and start a political dynasty along the lines of the Nehru-Gandhi family.Vaiko who quit the DMK has been the most vocal.Political observers say that Vaiko was sidelined as he was seen as a threat to M.K.Stalin and other family members.

His nephew, the late Murasoli Maran was a Union Minister however it has been pointed out that he was in politics much before Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister in 1969.He was arrested several times including the Anti-Hindi agitations in 1965. He was asked to contest the by-election for South Madras in 1967 and the nomination papers were signed by Rajaji, Annadurai and Mohammed Ismail(Quaid-e-Milleth) clearly showing that his political career did not raise only due to Karunanidhi.

Many political opponents have been critical about the rise of M.K. Stalin in the party. But party men have always pointed out that M.K. Stalin has come up on his own. He has faced a lot of hardship since 1975 when he was jailed under MISA was beaten up in jail so brutally during the Emergency that fellow DMK Party prisoner died trying to save him.. Stalin was a MLA in 1989 and 1996 when his father Karunanidhi was the Chief Minister but he was not inducted into the Cabinet.He contested and became Chennai's 44 mayor but the first directly elected Mayor in 1996.It was only in his 4th term as MLA has he been made a Minister in the Karunanidhi cabinet and his rise is slow but steady.

Karunanidhi has been accused of helping Murasoli Maran's son Kalanidhi Maran who runs Sun Network, India's second largest television network and according to Forbes Kalanidhi is among India's Richest 20 with $1.9 Billion.[3]. Again commentators say that he raised himself into the position on his own merit and even Karunanidhi's sons have achieved nothing compared to him which has been a cause of friction between them. His channels have been the mouth organ of the DMK party(until recent time) and balanced the Jaya TV of the AIADMK. One should also keep in mind the fact that one cannot build India's second largest TV merely being Karunanidhi's nephew's son even though he was allowed to use the DMK party headquarters as his office in Chennai.

Another son of Maran's, Dayanidhi Maran is a Former Union Minister for Communications & IT portfolio, not broadcasting ministry, which is responsible for TV networks.

It has been pointed out that Karunanidhi has not hesitated to take action against his erring family members, Karunanidhi has even expelled his other sons MK Muthu and M.K. Azhagiri when they were guilty of wrong doing and similarly removed Dayanidhi Maran from the position of Union Minister.

But, he has been accused of not taking action against M.K. Azhagiri after his supporters attacked the newspaper office of Dinakaran killing 3 people. Azhagiri is the prime accused in the murder case of the former DMK Minister Kiruttinan. Karunanidhi is also accused of allowing Azhagiri to function as a extra constitutional authority in Madurai through he has never held a party post and is a liabilty to the party and not yet expelled from the party The Dinakaran newspaper case has been handed over to the CBI.

Further his daughter Kanimozhi has been nominated for a Rajya Sabha post even though she has done very little for the party as pointed out by critics.

Ram Setu remarks

In response to the recent Sethusamudram controversy, Karunanidhi questioned the existence of the Hindu God Ram. He asked

Some say there was a person over 17 lakh years ago. His name was Rama. Do not touch the bridge (Ramar Sethu) constructed by him. Who is this Rama? From which engineering college did he graduate? Is there any proof for this?

His remarks caused a firestorm of opinions. Tamil Nadu BJP head, Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Karunanidhi of religious discrimination when noting "We would like to know from Karunanidhi if he would make a similar statement against religious head of any other religion; chance are he may not."

Nationalist Congress Party spokesman D. P. Tripathi said "Where is the need of asking for evidence on the existence of Ram when lots of people have unreserved faith in him?"

In response to these statements, Karunanidhi defiantly stated "Anyway, neither Valmiki nor Ram is here now (to vouch for claims of Ram's existence). There is only a group that thinks of people as fools. They will be proved wrong."

Few days later, he commented that Lord Rama is a drunkard

I have not said anything more than Valmiki, who authored Ramayana. Valmiki had even stated that Rama was a drunkard. Have I said so?

A petition against him was initiated to protest his remarks.

In late 2007, senior VHP leader and former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti declared at a press conference that VHP saints of Ayodhya would weigh in gold anyone who beheaded Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi and cut out his tongue.[4] Š

Personal life

He was a non vegetarian now turned vegetarian.[5]. He also claims that the secret of his energy and success lies in yoga and daily practice keeps him young.[6]. He has married three times his wives are Mrs. Padmavathy, Mrs. Dayalu Ammal and Mrs. Rajathiammal[7]. His sons are M.K. Stalin,M.K. Azhagiri,M.K Muthu , M.K Tamilarasu and daughters are Selvi and Kanimozhi is a Tamil poet and a Rajya Sabha Member.

Photo Gallery

• Karunanidhi with Annadurai, Dilip Kumar, MGR, Dilip Kumar, EVK Sampath at the inaguration of the N.S.Krishnan's statue in GN Chetty Road
  Karunanidhi with Annadurai, Dilip Kumar, MGR, Dilip Kumar, EVK Sampath at the inaguration of the N.S.Krishnan's statue in GN Chetty Road
• Karunanidhi with Annadurai & MGR - Three Chief Ministers
  Karunanidhi with Annadurai & MGR - Three Chief Ministers
• M. G. Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi(autographed by Karunanidhi)
  M. G. Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi(autographed by Karunanidhi)
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PERSONAL LIFE: He has another daughter too named Selvi. M.K. Muthu was born to Padmavathy who died early. Azhagiri, Stalin, Selvi and Tamilarasu are born to Dayaluammal while Kanimozhi is the only daughter from Rajathiammal.

External links

• Muthuvel Karunanidhi: One Hundred Tamils of 20th Century