The 87th birthday celebrations of chief minister M. Karunanidhi began with planting a sapling at his CIT colony residence. The grand old man of Tamil Nadu politics started his day at 4 am like always.
Along with his wife Rajathi Ammal and daughter Kanimozhi, he planted a sapling. He cut a cake at Gopalapuram residence with his family members, including wife Dayalu Ammal, deputy CM M.K. Stalin, Union ministers M.K. Alagiri, Dayanidhi Maran and others, before leaving to the memorials of Periyar and Anna.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, actors Rajnikanth and Mamooty were among those who greeted him over telephone. Governor Surjit Singh Barnala drove down to Gopalapuram to wish Mr Karunanidhi on his birthday.
Years could have passed but his energy, wit and political acumen have not faded away as he, wearing a grin, was seen greeting thousands of party functionaries and cadre greeting him long queues at Anna Arivalayam. He sat nearly two-and-a-half hours to meet the cadre.
Enthused party workers gave him gifts — a plethora of items, including fruits, books, household articles etc. Dressed like Periyar, Anna and ancient Tamil kings and poets greeted him. The entire city wore a festive look with the DMK flags flying high and they put up colourful digital banners of Mr Karunanidhi.
PMK president G.K. Mani, along with former Union minister of state R. Velu, greeted the CM with a shawl at Gopalapuram. CPI legislative party leader V. Sivapunniyam and former state president of the BJP L. Ganesan also greeted the PM personally.
Union ministers G.K. Vasan and V. Narayanasamy, Puducherry CM Vaithilingam and a host of Congress legislators wished him.
Led by chief secretary K.S. Sripathi a large number of bureaucrats and senior police officials called on the CM at his residence.
Star-turned-politician Kushboo, who joined the ruling party recently, was one of the early birds to call on the DMK veteran. She was prominent when Mr Karunanidhi planted a sapling at CIT colony residence in the early hours.