Chennai remains tense as court to decide place for Karunanidhi's burial

Security tightened ahead of the expected arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other national leaders

Almost 12 hours after the demise of M Karunanidhi -- five-time Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President, the situation in Chennai remains tense, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, several other ministers and very important persons expected to visit the city to pay tribute to the late veteran politician.

There has been violence at some places after the state government denied a place for his burial at the Marina Beach, Chennai, where several leaders, including former Chief Ministers Annadurai, M G Ramachandran, and J Jayalalithaa, were buried.

The workers raised slogans seeking a place at the Marina for their beloved leader as his final resting place. Some of these workers turned violent. The DMK leadership immediately approached the Madras High Court which adjourned the hearing to 8:30 am on Wednesday.

During the night, Karunanidhi's mortal remains were moved from his Gopalapuram house to the one in CIT Nagar, where his two wives reside. The body was then moved to Rajaji Hall, a public hall in the city, Wednesday early morning to allow the public to pay homage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others are expected to visit the Hall on Wednesday after which the body will be taken for burial.

An eerie calm wrapped the city after Karunanidhi's death was announced on Tuesday night. Even on Wednesday morning, most of the shops remained closed in the city, while roads went empty, except for those who went to pay homage to the late DMK leader.

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Rajinikanth's spiritual plank not for 'Dravidian cradle' Tamil Nadu: Stalin Edit

Asked if Rajinikanth sought the DMK's support, he said such things could be decided only during elections

DMK working president M K Stalin has said Tamil Nadu was the cradle of the Dravidian movement, where there was no place for spiritual politics as enunciated by superstar Rajinikanth.

He made the remark just after the top star called on his father and DMK chief M Karunanidhi at his residence here, days after announcing his entry into politics.

Citing Rajinikanth's assertion of "spiritual politics", Stalin told reporters here yesterday that Tamil Nadu was the cradle of the Dravidian movement.

"Some are creating an impression that Rajinikanth is to launch a party at the instigation of people who intend to decimate the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu.

"Let me tell you this is the land of Periyar Anna (Dravidar Kazhagam founder E V Ramasamy Periyar) and Kalaignar (Karunanidhi)... such efforts in the past have ended in a fiasco," he said.

Asked if Rajinikanth sought the DMK's support, he said such things could be decided only during elections.

Announcing his political debut on December 31 last year, Rajinikanth batted for honesty in politics and good governance.

He said "everything needs to be changed" and declared that "spiritual politics" needs to be ushered in with transparency, sans shades of any caste or religion.

Stalin said the actor calling on Karunanidhi was nothing new and that he had called on the nonagenarian leader some months ago to enquire about his health.

Actor Vijayakanth too had called on Karunanidhi and sought his blessings before launching his party, the DMK leader said. (more)