Recalling an adage, DMK president M. Karunanidhi, who turned 88 on Friday, said "bad friend would result in trouble".
Karunanidhi's birthday is a low-key affair this year coming just weeks after an electoral rout, his daughter Kanimozhi and a former DMK minister A. Raja being jailed over 2G spectrum scam, and nephew Dayanidhi Maran in the dock over graft allegations.
In his message, Karunanidhi said party cadres, who have dedicated themselves to social and political reform, should not forget that undesirable friendship would result in problems.
Karunanidhi also paid homage to his leader and late chief minister C.N. Annadurai at his memorial here.
In previous years, Karunanidhi's birthday was celebrated with much fanfare by the party cadres.