Former Tamil Nadu chief minister Karunanidhi to be accorded state funeral

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo M Karunanidhi's funeral will be held with full state honours.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said that the Indian national flag would fly half-mast during this period and all government-related functions would be suspended.

Karunanidhi breathed his last on Tuesday after an 11-day battle with his deteriorating health in Chennai's Kauvery Hospital.

The mortal remains of Kalaignar were brought to his Gopalapuram residence amid loud slogans raised by DMK cadres seeking a Marina Beach burial for the late party chief.
Meanwhile, advocate Shanmugasundram, appearing on behalf of the DMK, and additional advocate general of the Tamil Nadu government, Aravinth Pondiyan and SR Rajagopal, arrived at Madras High Court acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh's residence, where a hearing will shortly begin regarding the Marina Beach memorial for Karunanidhi.

On a related note, top political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, will fly to Chennai on Wednesday to pay their last respects.

(ANI)