Kayalpattinam, Karunanidhi shared strong bondage

Kayalpattinam acquired the sobriquet after the long-awaited by-pass road became a reality in 1970’s when DMK was in power. After having witnessed development, people’s affection for Karunanidhi grew to respect, according to KAM Muhammed Abubacker, Kadayanallur MLA, state general secretary, Indian Union League Muslim League (IUML) and  a native of the town.

The road by-passing Arumuganeri, which is a neighbouring locality, provided a big relief for the people, who need not wait at railway level crossings at Arumuganeri and Kayalpattinam. It was Karunanidhi, who paid attention to people’s demand for the by-pass road and dedicated the facility to people, ultimately. Lands owned by Centre’s Salt Department were acquired to bring up the much-awaited road infrastructure. The by-pass road also proved beneficial to people seeking medical care. In those days, women during pregnancy took this by-pass road to avail medical care in hospitals at Nazareth and Palayamkottai, he told DT Next on Sunday. 

He also took efforts to bring the second drinking water supply scheme to benefit people of Kayalpattinam. It was in 1984, the people along with IUML cadres gave a rousing reception to Karunanidhi when he held a walkathon titled ‘Neethi Kettu Nediya Payanam’ from Madurai to Tiruchendur via Kayalpattinam. During the year, a priest of Sri Subramanyaswami Temple in Tiruchendur was murdered after he allegedly stole a ‘Vel’ inside the temple, he recalled.  

Karunanidhi maintained a close and long affinity with the IUML ever since the beginning. When he was 16 years old, he shared the dais with CN Annadurai, former CM, who was known as ‘Arignar Anna’ at a programme organised by the IUML in 1950’s, he recounted. When over hundred people in Kayalpattinam were held in preventive custody due to uncertain situation of communal disharmony in 1997, Karunanidhi came to their rescue and found ways to release them.

As for Waheeda, former first chairman of Kayalpattinam Municipality, this town with a population of around 50,000 including 20,000 to 25,000 voters turns out to be a deciding factor for elections to Tiruchendur Assembly constituency.

With about 90 per cent of Muslim populace in this town, SM Abdul Kader, a resident, recalled a speech delivered by Karunanidhi in which he said that “I am the saviour of the minorities.”