DMK supremo Karunanidhi passes away at 94; Tamil Nadu govt announces 7-day mourning

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo M Karunanidhi passed away on Tuesday, August 7 in Chennai. Tributes are pouring in from all quarters after the demise of the DMK supremo left the state of Tamil Nadu in shock and disbelief.  

Thousands of Kalaignar supporters can be seen crying outside Kauvery hospital in Chennai. DMK party members and entire Tamil Nadu for that matter, are mourning the loss of one of the greatest political leaders to emerge from the state.

Here's what happened:

• Tamil Nadu government announces seven-day mourning over Karunanidhi's death.
• Karnataka government has declared one-day state mourning on August 8.
• Scores of supporters can be seen crying as an ambulance carries Karunanidhi's mortal remains from Kauvery Hospital to his Gandhipuram residence.
• Congress president Rahul Gandhi along with senior party members will head to Chennai tomorrow to pay their condolences.
• MK Stalin has thanked doctors and the staff members of Kauvery Hospital. He has also requested DMK supporters to maintain peace and discipline and not to create problems for the public.

• "He had shown the path to regional parties, its a tragic moment for his workers and those who loved him. He was a mature leader and a statesman. Pray to almighty that his soul rests in peace," former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda paid his tributes to the DMK supremo.
• Senior DMK leader Duraimurugan has told party cadres that he has requested the AIADMK government to ensure space for the burial of Karunanidhi near Marina Beach.  
• Duraimurugan added that the ruling government is yet to give the nod for DMK's request.
• "We had met CM and submitted a request for a 'Samadhi' near Anna memorial, he had accepted our request then but has not communicated anything in this regard till now," Duraimurugan was quoted as saying by ANI.

• DMK supporters can be seen raising slogans in the memory of their beloved leader outside Kauvery hospital. 
• Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over Kalaignar's death as he took to Twitter and wrote: "Loved by the Tamilian people, Kalaignar strode the stage of Tamil politics, like a colossus, for over 6 decades. In his passing, India has lost a great son. My condolences to his family as also to the millions of Indians who grieve for their beloved leader tonight.#Karunanidhi. [sic]"
• MK Stalin, son of Karunanidhi, has asked the party cadres to maintain peace in Chennai.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Chennai tomorrow to pay his last respects to the DMK patriarch. 

• "In his death, India has lost a political stalwart and it will be difficult to fill the void caused by his sad demise." Telangana CM KC Rao expressed his condolences to the bereaved members of Karunanidhi's family.

• The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) services to Tamil Nadu have been stopped temporarily, reports ANI.
• Chennai police have cordoned off all roads leading to M Karunanidhi's residence in Gopalapuram. Heavy police personnel along with RAF officials have been deployed in the area. 

• Actor-turned-politician Rajnikanth has expressed grief over Karunanidhi's death. He tweeted: "Today is a black day in my life, one which I can never forget as I lost my #Kalaignar. I pray for his soul."

• "Despite best efforts of our doctors and nurses to resuscitate him, he failed to respond," Kauvery Hospital said in the medical bulletin.  
• DMK supporters can be seen crying outside the hospital. Here is the medical bulletin released by Kauvery Hospital.  

• "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," PM Modi paid his tribute to the DMK chief. 
• DMK supremo M Karunanidhi passed away at 6.10 pm on Tuesday. 

• Karunanidhi's condition continues to remain critical.

• Supporters gather outside Chennai's Kauvery Hospital where DMK President M. Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment. The hospital had yesterday stated a decline in his medical condition. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/ajMbZ01poQ

  — ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2018

• A DMK cadre with a catchy slogan on his shirt sleeping outside the hospital. " I will love Karunanidhi till the day I stop breathing. Oh, leader Kalaignar, please come back," reads the caption.

• DMK working president MK Stalin has arrived at the Kauvery Hospital.
• Visuals of DMK cadres at the Kauvery hospital premises.

• A few DMK politicians like A Raja had stayed overnight in hospital.
• Kanimozhi at the hospital on Tuesday morning.
  

  DMK leader Kanimozhi meets people gathered outside Chennai's Kauvery hospital where her father and former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment. The hospital stated a decline in his medical condition yesterday. pic.twitter.com/l87nQ0PwJf

  — ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2018

• Visuals of the hospital premises on Tuesday (August 7) morning.

• Police personnel have been deployed at the hospital premises.
• As soon as the news of the decline in Karunanidhi's health spread, supporters gathered outside the hospital. The crowd has been swelling since then.
• Here's the medical bulletin issued by the hospital:
  

  
• On Monday, the doctors said that old age ailments were making it difficult for them to maintain the functioning of Karunanidhi's vital organs.
  "He is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support. His response to the medical intervention over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis," a statement from the hospital read.
• However, the doctors advised Karunanidhi's family to keep him at the hospital for a little more time. They said that his health had suffered an overall decline due to old age. "Altered liver function and haematological parameter," are the few other reasons the doctors had cited.
• On July 29, Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi had said that the DMK president was better.

• He was rushed to the Kauvery hospital in the early hours of July 28.
  "DMK president and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi has been admitted on July 28, 2018 in the intensive care unit of the Kauvery Hospital at 1.30 a.m. following a drop in blood pressure. His blood pressure has been stabilised with medical management and he continues to be monitored and treated by a panel of expert doctors," the hospital said in its news bulletin on July 28.
  
• Karunanidhi has been keeping ill since July 26 and was being treated at his Goplapuram residence.
  "He is currently being treated for fever due to urinary tract infection with intravenous antibiotics and fluids. He is being monitored and treated round the clock by a team of medical and nursing professionals, who are providing hospital-level care at his home." Kauvery Hospital's executive director Aravindan Selvaraj had said.