Stalin unveils Anbazhagan’s portrait

Speaking at the function at Anna Arivalayam on Saturday evening, Stalin said the death of his father and former party president M Karunanidhi had a serious impact on the Anbazhagan health. “If Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) were alive, he would also have been alive. Perasiriyar (professor, as Anbazhagan was widely known) left us because Kalaignar left us,” Stalin said. Turning emotional, Stalin recalled instances when Anbazhagan, dearly considered as his ‘periyappa’, had motivated and encouraged him in his life. Describing himself as Perasiriyar’s son, Stalin recalled the emotional eulogy he had penned immediately after the nonagenarian’s demise. “I am also perasiriyar’s son. He himself had said that Stalin was a son not only to Karunanidhi, but also to me,” he said.

Elaborating on the friendship between Karunanidhi and Anbazhagan, the DMK chief said the first thing Kalaignar would inquire about after reaching Arivalayam every time was whether Perasiriyar was available. “Whether he (Karunanidhi) was at home or party office, he would always inquire about Perasiriyar. Kalaignar always said that it was not easy to win Perasriyar’s acceptance or appreciation. I managed to do it, which I consider as a matter of pride,” added Stalin, urging his party cadre to take an oath to live as Tamils with pride.

DMK treasurer Duraimurugan, DK leader K Veeramani, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president KS Alagiri and other alliance party leaders also spoke during the function.