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M. Karunanidhi

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M.Karunanidhi
File:CMKaruna.jpg
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
ConstituencyChepauk
Personal details
BornJune 3 1924
Thirukkuvalai, Tamil Nadu
Political partyDMK
Spouse(s)Mrs.Padmavathy, Mrs. Dayalu Ammal and Mrs. Rajathiammal[1][2][3]
ChildrenFour sons and two daughters
ResidenceChennai
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. Kalaignar (கலைஞர்), born on June 3 1924 in the Tanjore District, (now Tiruvarur) Tamil Nadu, India, is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is one of the founder members and the present leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)[4] political party in the state of Tamil Nadu. He has been the president of the DMK since the death of C.N. Annadurai in 1969 .[5] He has been the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times (1969-71, 1971-74, 1989-91, 1996-2001 and 2006-date). 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.[6] He currently represents the constituency of Chepauk in Central Chennai in the Tamil Nadu state Legislative Assembly. He holds the record of winning every election that he fought in his political career spanning over 60 years. [7] He has been elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for 11 times and once to the now abolished Tamil Nadu Legislative Council. [8] He led the UPA in Tamil Nadu to win all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the 2004 Lok Sabha Elections

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.[9]He is being widely complemented for his administrative skills though he does not enjoy any big academic back up.

Rediff.com recently referred to Karunanidhi as the Sachin Tendulkar of Tamil Nadu politics.[10]

Entry into Politics

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 hard 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 offical newspaper.The Justice Party was transformed into Dravida Kazhagam by Periyar in 1946.Karunanidhi designed the party flag along with Periyar. A black flag with a red circle was decided tentatively. It is said that Karunanidhi drew the red circle with his blood as a beginning for all the blood he shed for the honour of the party and the Tamils.The Dravidar Kazhagam flag, in the ratio of 3:2, a red circle in the middle in the black background, was adopted in 1946. The black represented the deprivations and the indignities to which the Backward classes are subjected to under the Hindu caste system,the red the aspirations of the people.His wife Padmavathy was very sick and in her death bed, but Karunanidhi had to render a speech at a meeting. When the meeting was concluded and he rushed home, his car was stalled by an engine problem and was forced to take a lorry home, by the time he reached his wife had passed away.Similarly when his father was sick Dr.Vadivelu asked him to address a meeting and while doing so he heard the sad news that his father had died through a friend Thenan.[11]


Karunanidhi the Activist

Karunanidhi 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 lead 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.

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.


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.


Positions Held

  • 1957:Elected from Kulithalai
  • 1962:Elected from Thanjavur
  • 1962-1967:Deputy Leader of the Opposition
  • 1967:Elected from Saidapet
  • 1967-1969:Cabinet Minister for Public Works
  • 1969-1971:Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
  • 1971:Reelected from Saidapet
  • 1971-1976:Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
  • 1977:Elected from Anna Nagar
  • 1977-1980:Leader of the Opposition
  • 1980:Reelected from Anna Nagar
  • 1980-1983: Leader of the Opposition
  • 1984:Elected to Legislative Council
  • 1989:Elected from Harbour
  • 1989-1991:Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
  • 1991:Reelected from Harbour
  • 1996:Elected from Chepauk
  • 1996-2001:Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
  • 2001:Reelected from Chepauk
  • 2006:Reelected from Chepauk
  • 2006:is currently the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Karunanidhi the Writer

Screenplays

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, Abhimanyu, 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


File:Vnj.jpg
V.N.Janaki in the Tamil Movie Devaki scripted by M.Karunanidhi




Literature

Karunanidhi is known for his knowledge in Tamil literature. He has skillfully crafted 'Kuraloviam' for Thirukural, Tholkaappiya Poonga, Poombukar as well as many poems, essays and books. He used his talents as a journalist and cartoonist to bring issues relevant to his political ideology before the public. He is the only political leader in whole world who writes letters daily addressed to his party workers by name ' TAMBIKU ORU KADITHAM' (Letter to younger brother)he is writing this for over 50 years non stop daily in his party's organ ["MURASOLI"http://www.murasoli.in/.] (Much longer than Sindbad in Daily Tanthi vernacular Tamil daily - Sindbad comes for last 44 years daily)

Awards and Titles

Annamalai University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1971. Awarded "Raja Rajan Award" by Tamil University, Thanjavur for his book "Thenpandi Singam".

Controversies

His party was indicted by the Sarkaria commission for corruption in alotting tenders for the Veeranam project[12]. However the case was not pursued further.

The Interim report of Justice Jain commission which oversaw the investigation into Rajiv Gandhi's assassination indicted Karunanidhi for abetting the LTTE[13]. The interim report recommended that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the DMK party be held responsible for abetting Rajiv Gandhi's murderers. They were later cleared of the charges as DMK was not in power during the assassination and it was under President's rule.

Karunanidhi midnight arrest shocked the whole country.The scenes of a 78 year old former Chief Minister being dragged screaming and kicking, out of his residence at midnight on June 30 2001 shocked the world. The images of the arrest was broadcast on Television which shocked the conscience of the nation


Promoting Casteism

    • Vaiko in an interview has attacked him of calling Brahmin community by slangs.[1]. He also said that chief minister instead of representing all communities is trying to create division in the society by abusing particular community quite often.
    • When Tamil actress Suhasini who is from Brahmin community supported Khushboo,Karunanidhi immediately declared that this will help DMK to establish anti-brahmin movement. His alliance partners CPI and CPM has called that statement as unwarranted.[2] Immediately Karunanidhi retracted his statement. Incidentally people from all communities including Kanimozhi who is a daughter of Karunanidhi,Karthick Chidambaram son of P.Chidambaram supported Khushboo[3]
    • Karunanidhi during early 1970s criticised Rajaji as Punugu Battar and The Hindu Daily as 'Mount Road Maha Vishnu' as both Rajai was a Brahmin Iyengar and The Hindu was also run by Iyengar Family. He also used his Criticism over Kamarajar and with change of Political times he changed his stance by calling Rajaji as ' MUDARINAR' or highly learned scholar and Kamarajar as 'Kala Gandhi' he even took bride from The Hindu Daily Family.
File:RacialSlur.jpg
Racial slurs against Hindu religion and certain communities are common in Karunanidhi's writing.Recently MDMK leader Vaiko deplored that chief minister is trying to create division in society by abusing one community in his writing. Vaiko also questioned about silence of DMK's alliance partners like CPI,CPM & Congress for Karunanidhi's racial abuses.In July 2006,Karunanidhi has written and declared in Tamilnadu Assembly that his Government is for non upper castes by non upper castes. )
  • He claimed his Government as "of non upper castes for non upper castes by non upper castes" in Tamil poem written by him on 2nd July 2006 in Tamil daily Dinakaran.

Supporters of Karunanidhi claim that he has worked against casteism due to following reasons.

  • Support extended to intercaste marriages.[14]
  • His son Azhagiri is married to a dalit.His family members are married in various castes.
  • He stood for the upliftment of backward classes.

Nepotism

Karunanidhi has been accused of promoting his family interests by people who left DMK like Aladi Aruna, T.Rajendar, Vaiko,Sarathkumar and by opposition leaders like Jayalalitha,Vijayakanth and by various political analysts.[4][5][6] This has been single most reason for prominent people leaving DMK. His grandnephew and elder Brother of Union Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran - Kalanidhi Maran is appearing in Top 40 richest Indians list released by Forbes.[7]He is the only person based in Tamilnadu to appear in that list. (Shiv nadar who is born in Tamilnadu also appears in that list but he is based in New Delhi). DMDK leader Vijayakanth alleged favoritism extended by him for his family enabled them to reach as richest family in Tamilnadu.

Jayalalitha in Tamilnadu Assembly alleged that Karunanidhi met Tamilnadu Governor Barnala with in 30 minutes of bringing legislation to nationalize Cable TV business in which his family has political stakes.[8]. Karunanidhi refuted allegations stating that he met Governor for courtesy purposes. Governor Barnala did not give assent to Cable TV bill and bill was scrapped after Karunanidhi came back to power.

Following personnel from his family occupied various key positions in Government & Party.


  • Murasoli Maran. Nephew. He occupied cabinet minister post for commerce. When VP.Singh Government offered 1 cabinet minister post for DMK,it was given to Murasoli Maran.
  • M.K.Stalin. Son. He is the local administration minister in state government. He was ex-mayor to Chennai Corporation. He is the deputy general Secretary of DMK
  • Dayanidhi Maran. Grand Nephew. Currently he is the central cabinet minister. Maran a political novice has been made central cabinet minister when he was elected for first time as MP. Whereas other senior DMK leaders and veteran congress leaders from Tamilnadu like Elangovan has to remain content with Junior Minister posts. Famous rediff columnist T.V.Shenoy noted that he has been pushed up in the ladder bypassing other senior leaders and offered portfolio in which his family has business stakes.[9]

Selling SUN TV stakes

Karunanidhi claimed that he sold 20% stakes in SUN TV in November 2005 for Rs 10 crores and offered 5 crores (Around 1 Million US Dollars) sum received by him after paying income tax for philanthropical activities.[10] When SUN TV group went for IPO, it has put valuation as 700-800 crores. (140 Million US Dollars) for 10% of its stake. [11].This anomaly has been pointed out by opposition leaders during election campaigns. If he had mentioned valuation as 1400 crores(as per IPO price) (280 Million US Dollars) for 20% stake then he would have paid Income Tax proportionately. Indian Government supported by Karunanidhi's party has not made any efforts so far to enquire this obvious under valuation of wealth transfer done between his family members. Recently Forbes has estimated Kalanidhi Maran's family fortune as around 8500 crores (1.9 Billion US Dollars) for 90% stakes in Sun T V.(Based on Nov 2006 Stock price).[12]

DMK this year

His son, M.K. Stalin is widely expected to succeed him as leader of the party, causing some political opponents to criticise him for attempting to establish a political dynasty. His defenders counter that Stalin has been in the party for several years and has contributed to its growth. His grand-nephew, Dayanidhi Maran, is currently the Union Minister of Communications & Information Technology.

Photo Gallery

References

  1. ^ In South India, more the merrier - The Times of India 2 May, 2006
  2. ^ Rama, Ravana battle again in TN - Rediff
  3. ^ DMK AT CROSSROADS Family Above Party, The Preferred Option - The Statesman
  4. ^ http://www.dmk.in/
  5. ^ "Biography in official party website". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ http://specials.rediff.com/election/2006/apr/25sld01.htm
  7. ^ http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14202776
  8. ^ http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?id=12428&template=tamilnadu&callid=1
  9. ^ http://specials.rediff.com/election/2006/apr/25sld01.htm
  10. ^ http://specials.rediff.com/election/2006/apr/25sld01.htm
  11. ^ http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/celeb/kalaignar_karunanidhi.html
  12. ^ http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/06/10/stories/0410223a.htm
  13. ^ http://www.india-today.com/itoday/17111997/cov.html
  14. ^ http://www.tn.gov.in/dePTsT/Tab27_05.htm

[A Biography, from TamilNation.org http://www.tamilnation.org/hundryryuryurrhedtamils/karunanidhi.htm]

Preceded by List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu Succeeded by
Incumbent

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