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Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK patriarch Muthuvel Karunanidhi died in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 94.
"Dr.M Karunanidhi passed away at 6.10 pm. Despite best efforts of our doctors and nurses to resuscitate him, he failed to respond," Kauvery Hospital said in a statement.
"We profoundly mourn the loss of one of the tallest leaders of India and we share the grief of family members and fellow Tamilians worldwide," a press release by Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Executive Director of Kauvery Hospital, said.
In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Deeply saddened by passing away of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. He was one of the senior most leaders of India. We have lost a deep-rooted mass leader, prolific thinker, accomplished writer and a stalwart whose life was devoted to the welfare of the poor and the marginalised,"
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Karunanidhi was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital on July 28 following a dip in blood pressure, which stabilised following medical intervention.
The Kauvery hospital had on Monday said that the condition Karunanidhi had "declined" and keeping his vital organs functioning remains a "challenge", indicating the next 24 hours could be crucial.
The hospital had, however, said on July 31 that an extended stay could be necessary due to age-related overall decline in his general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters.
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One of the most charismatic figures of Tamil Nadu politics whose public life spanned over seven decades, is survived by two wives and six children, including DMK working president and heir apparent M K Stalin and daughter Kanimozhi, a Rajya Sabha MP.
Karunanidhi's death comes barely 20 months after that of J Jayalalithaa, his long-time political foe and another
bright star that faded from Tamil Nadu's political firmament on December 5, 2016.
Karunanidhi was a five-time chief minister, who wielded considerable influence beyond his own state, in the corridors of power in New Delhi, for a long time, sewing up alliances with both the Congress and the BJP.
Hugely influenced by the rationalist and egalitarian ideology of E V Ramasamy 'Periyar' and DMK founder and the
state's first chief minister C N Annadurai, Karunanidhi became one of the most enduring mascots of the Dravidian Movement, which aimed at seeking equal rights for the depressed sections and women, and was against Brahminism.
Karunanidhi became the chief minister for the first time in 1969 after the demise of Annadurai. He subsequently helmed the state as chief minister in 1971, 1989, 1996 and 2006.
He was elected to the Legislative Assembly 13 times, the last time as a 92-year-old in 2016.
Karunanidhi, who earned sobriquets of 'Thalaivar' (The Leader) and 'Kalaignar' (The Artist) from his ardent
followers, became DMK president in 1969 and held the position till his death.
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(With inputs from PTI)
