Centre released commemorative coin for DMK patriarch Karunanidhi because of his service to TN: Annamalai

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 19 (ANI): Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai said on Monday that the Union government released a commemorative coin to mark the birth centenary of former five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Kalaignar M Karunanidhi because of his service to the state.

“For his (Karunanidhi) service to the state, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cabinet have sanctioned the request of the Tamil Nadu state government to release a Rs 100 commemorative coin in 2024. We have to understand that there are places for doing politics and places for not doing politics,” Annamalai told ANI.

After releasing the commemorative coin in Chennai on Sunday, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed M Karunanidhi as one of the most revered leaders of the country, a titan of Indian politics, an able administrator, an advocate for social justice, and a cultural stalwart.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Union MoS L Murugan along with other leaders and officials were also present at the event.

Addressing the event with Vadakkam, Rajnath Singh said, “It is a great honour and deep respect to celebrate the birth centenary of one of the most revered leaders of our country, Kalaignar M Karunanidhi. I pay my homage to the Kalaingar on his special occasion, a man whose influence was far extended than the borders of the Tamil Nadu and Karunanidhi was a titan of Indian politics. A cultural stalwart and relentless advocate of the social justice.”

Rajnath Singh described Kalaignar Karunanidhi as a leader whose role in national governance and advocacy for democratic principles have left an indelible mark on Indian democracy. He added that the inclusive nature of Indian identity is reflected in Thiru Karunanidhi’s policies, which focussed on providing access to quality education for the marginalised and ensuring that women and children received the support they needed to thrive.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his wishes and support for the grand success of the centenary commemorative coin release ceremony in honour of former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi.

“I wholeheartedly thank Prime Minister Thiru. Narendra Modi avl. for his kind wishes and support for the grand success of the Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar Centenary Commemorative Coin release ceremony,” MK Stalin posted on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter and hailed the late DMK President and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M Karunanidhi, as a “towering figure” in Indian politics, literature and society.

“Thiru Karunanidhi ji was a towering figure in Indian politics, literature and society. He was always passionate about the development of Tamil Nadu as well as the nation’s progress.”

“As a political leader, Thiru Kalaignar Karunanidhi ji left an indelible mark on our country’s history as a Chief Minister who was elected by the people multiple times over the span of decades, underlining his deep understanding of society, policy and politics,” the PM added.