Stalin leads DMK homage to ex-fisheries minister KPP Samy

DMK president MK Stalin, treasurer Duraimurugan and other leaders of the party paid floral tributes to the mortal remains of Samy in his native Tiruvottiyur earlier in the day. 57-old Samy, who had served as the fisheries minister during the 2006-11 tenure, was undergoing treatment for illness for a while now. Expressing shock at the sudden demise of his party MLA, Stalin, in his condolence message, said the enthusiastic cadre of DMK had earned the goodwill and appreciation of former DMK president M Karunanidhi by serving in various capacities in the party, including organiser of the youth wing of the district and member of the executive council.

“As the fisheries minister in the previous DMK regime, he took up fishermen welfare as his prime duty and flourished as the beacon of hope of the fishing community by arguing and securing several welfare schemes with me and then chief minister Karunanidhi,” Stalin said. Remarking that Samy had embraced the principles of Dravidian movement in his public life, Stalin said that his work with him and in the state Assembly were unforgettable. Recalling his visit to Samy’s place to inquire about his health, the DMK president said the people of his constituency have lost a great foot soldier who had only raked up the issues concerning his voters instead of his health even during his visit.

Stalin also said the party was grieving the loss of Samy who had laboured to lead agitations and create new cadre base.

Meanwhile, Stalin on Thursday announced that he would not celebrate his birthday on March 1 owing to the ill health of party general secretary K Anbazhagan. In a statement issued in this regard, Stalin said that he was not in the mind to celebrate his birthday at a time when the Perasiriyar (he is affectionately addressed by DMK cadre), who had dedicated 2/3rd of a century to the Tamil race, language and Dravidian movement, has taken ill. Advising his party functionaries and cadre to not visit him in person to wish him on his birthday, Stalin advised his party workers to express their wishes for the speedy recovery of the DMK general secretary who has dedicated his life for welfare of Tamils.