Karunanidhi had ability to inspire loyalty and that loyalty never left him

In over 70 years of his political life, Karunanidhi contributed immensely to establishing social justice platform and encouraging Tamil language in the state. For the last 40 years, from 1975 onwards, there have been only three major players in the Tamil Nadu politics - Karunanidhi, MGR and Jayalalithaa. With Karunanidhi's death, there is a huge vacuum in the politics of the state and who is going to fill that vacuum is a big question. Though Mr Stalin is certainly pre-eminent among those who are there now, he himself admits that he has not reached the same height as his father. Only time will tell whether Stalin would be able to develop the party in the long term.

Whether you liked him or not, Karunanidhi was a force in Tamil Nadu politics. He had a never-say-die spirit. He was able to keep the party together even though they had long spells out of power. Between January 1976, when the DMK government was dismissed, and 1989, almost 13 years they were out of power and they lost three elections- in 1977, 1980 and 1984- but still he was able to keep the party together. He had the ability to inspire loyalty and that loyalty never left him. The ability he showed to keep the party cadre motivated is a lesson for any political leader in India.

End of an era: DMK President M Karunanidhi passes away at 94

Muthuvel Karunanidhi, 94, the five-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu and president of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) passed away in Chennai on Tuesday. He entered the 50th year as the president of DMK late last month, the longest tenure by a person as head of one of Tamil Nadu's major Dravidian parties.

"With deep anguish, we announce the demise of our beloved Kalaignar Dr M Karunanidhi on August 7, 2018 at 6.10 p.m. Despite the best possible efforts by our team of doctors and nurses to resuscitate him, he failed to respond," said a release by Chennai's Kauvery Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment.

Authorities, apprehensive about law and order problems, stepped up security in Tamil Nadu, especially in capital Chennai, after Karunanidhi's death. Shops, theatres and hotels downed shutters, and offices asked people to leave early as a large number of DMK supporters thronged the hospital.

Karunanidhi's health declines, DMK leader on 'active medical support'

DMK President M Karunanidhi's health condition has declined, and maintaining his vital organ functions remain a challenge due to age-related ailments, said the private hospital in Chennai where the politician is undergoing treatment.

"He is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support. His response to medical intervention over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis," Kauvery Hospital's release said on Monday.

The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was admitted to the facility on 28 July after his blood pressure dropped. The hospital faced a scare the next day when Karunanidhi, 94, had difficulties in breathing.

In an official statement on 31 July, Kauvery Hospital's Executive Director, Aravindaran Selvaraj, said Karunanidhi will have to stay at the facility for some more time due to an overall decline in his general health.

Many senior leaders, including Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, have visited Karunanidhi in hospital.