Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Chennai on Friday along with Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai to pay her last respects to veteran actor and politician ‘Captain’ Vijayakanth.
Sitharaman conveyed that she had come to offer tributes on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government. The DMDK founder-leader passed away at the age of 69 on Thursday following a bout of illness.
In her comments after paying homage, Sitharaman described Vijayakanth as the “most humane leader in Tamil politics” who enjoyed massive popularity amongst the public. She said the actor-turned-politician was admired as a self-made and upright figure.
#WATCH | Chennai: Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai arrive to pay respects to veteran actor and DMDK chief Captain Vijaykanth who passed away yesterday.
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2023
She said, "Today I've come here to pay respects on behalf of the central… pic.twitter.com/lVxxuvJkC5
According to the Finance Minister, Vijayakanth had transformed political practices and culture after entering public life in Tamil Nadu. She pointed out that the outpouring of grief from supporters making queues run 10kms long was a testament to both his appeal and the void left behind.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, former CM Edappadi Palaniswami, DMK heir Udhayanidhi Stalin, and party leaders like Thol Thirumavalavan were among the VIPs who turned up to pay respects on Thursday after his demise. Top film personalities of Tamil cinema also came to offer their condolences.
Vijayakanth founded the DMDK party in 2005 after enjoying a successful career in films for over two decades. He continued to be an influential figure and alliance partner despite not achieving electoral success to match his popularity.
After lying at his residence and party office for the public to pay homage, Vijayakanth’s funeral is scheduled for Friday evening. The charismatic Tamil leader’s death marks the end of an eventful chapter in the state’s political history.
