M Karunanidhi, DMK Supremo And Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Dies At 94

M Karunanidhi, DMK Supremo and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, died earlier this evening at Kauvery Hospital, Chennai. He was 94.

“With deep anguish, we announce the demise of our beloved Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi at 6.10 p.m. Despite the best possible efforts by a team of doctors and nurses to resuscitate him, he failed to respond,” said a statement released by Chennai’s Kauvery Hospital where he was admitted.

Following his demise, theatres in the city have cancelled all evening and night shows today. Further, all movie shows on August 8 will also be cancelled.

Abirami Ramanathan told Silverscreen that it was unanimously decided by the theatre owners association to cancel all shows keeping the current situation in mind.

August 7, 4.30 PM: M Karunanidhi’s condition is extremely critical and unstable, stated the latest medical bulletin from Chennai’s Kauvery Hospital. “There has been significant decline in the clinical condition of Karunanidhi over the last few hours. Despite maximum medical support, his vital organ functions continue to deteriorate,” the hospital statement said.

A meeting was conducted between Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy and DMK working president M.K Stalin on Tuesday afternoon. Internet services have been restricted as supporters continued to gather outside Kauvery Hospital in Chennai’s Alwarpet where the DMK supremo has been admitted. Security in the city has been beefed up.

Actor Sarathkumar tweeted praying for the Kalainagar’s speedy recovery, while Vadivelu visited the hospital.

As per the last medical bulletin which was released last night by the hospital, “”There has been a decline in the medical condition of DMK president and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age related ailments.”

According to The Times of India report, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President S Thirunavukkarasar, while talking to reporters on Monday, said that Karunanidhi’s condition has not been good since morning. “Doctors are treating him. We’ll have to pray that he gets better,” he said.

Meanwhile, Karunanidhi’s wife, Dayalu Ammal also visited him at the hospital on Monday. This was her first visit to the hospital since he was admitted on July 29.

Karunanidhi had been undergoing treatment at his Gopalapuram residence for fever due to urinary tract infection. He was later admitted to the hospital following a drop in blood pressure. His blood pressure was stabilised, but he continued to remain at the hospital.

“Although there has been a resolution of the condition which led to his hospital admission, an extended period of hospitalisation will be necessary due to age-related overall decline in his general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters,” said the last medical bulletin which was released on July 31.

In the past few days, he’s had a host of visitors, including Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Kamal Haasan, Sivakumar and his son, Suriya, Ajith Kumar, Vijay, Rajinikanth and Congress President Rahul Gandhi. President Ram Nath Kovind also met Karunanidhi and his family in Chennai on August 5.