Karunanidhi seeks Bharat Ratna for Periyar, Anna

Chennai: DMK president M Karunanidhi on Thursday welcomed the Centre’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna on former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee and demanded that the honour also be conferred on Dravidian veteran E V Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, and former Chief Minister Annadurai.

He said Mr. Vajpayee had great love for him and hailed the Centre’s decision to confer the award on him.

Without mentioning Madan Mohan Malviya, also chosen for the award, Mr. Karunanidhi said he was extending his greetings to the “leaders” for being chosen for the country’s highest civilian honour.

Mr. Karunanidhi said he had written to President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 24 urging that the Bharat Ratna be conferred on Annadurai. “I once again insist the President and Prime Minister to confer the honour on Periyar and Annadurai and honour Tamil Nadu and the Dravidian movement,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, NDA ally PMK also welcomed conferment of Bharat Ratna on Vajpayee.

“It gives me immense joy,” PMK chief Ramadoss said in a statement, adding, the leader dedicated himself for the welfare of people.

“It is a recognition for his services to the nation,” he said and wished the former Prime Minister on his birthday today.

BJP workers celebrated the 90th birthday of Vajpayee in a grand manner in Tamil Nadu. Various events including blood donation camps were held in several locations.

BJP senior leader L Ganesan “thanked” the Centre for honouring the “tallest leader” of his party with the Bharat Ratna