MK Stalin penned a Poem on Karunanidhi

Chennai, Aug 08: The hours after DMK president and former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi passed away on Tuesday, his son and political heir M K Stalin asked: "This one time, can I call you Appa?"

In an emotional poem to his father, Stalin recounted how he addressed his father as 'Thalaivare' (leader) more than father. Karunanidhi died at Kauvery Hospital last evening, where he was admitted after his health deteriorated two weeks ago.

"Thirty three years ago you decided the words to be written upon your headstone, 'Here lies he who worked without any rest'. Did you leave with the satisfaction of having worked for this Tamil community?" Stalin asked, adding that Karunanidhi ran non-stop for 80 years to serve the public.

"I beg for that strength and for the heart you borrowed from Aringar Anna. Will you give it to me, Thalaivare? With that charity, we will win over your unfulfilled wishes and dreams," he wrote.

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi passed away on Tuesday at the age of 94. The veteran politician was admitted in Kauvery Hospital in the city two weeks ago, where he was being treated by a panel of expert doctors.

His body was taken to his Gopalapuram residence last night, after which it was shifted to Rajaji Hall. Several political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid their last respects to Karunanidhi.