On a day when Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is arriving in Chennai making bold to strengthen the party in the State, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, an alliance partner of the national party, today said that no power could suppress the voice of the DMK.

Solemnising a mass-marriage ceremony organised by Pongalur MLA S Mani here, in which 86 pairs (symbolising the age of Karunanidhi) entered wedlock, he said that the DMK had succesfullly crossed many hurdles, countered pressures and tackled many attacks.

‘During Emergency (invoked by Indra Gandhi-headed Congress government at the Centre in 1975), I solemnised hundreds of marriages at my home despite various pressures. The DMK activists used to come in the guise of pilgrims to meet me. One could understand the troubles faced by the DMK by recalling this,’ he said.

Claiming that he delivered a speech through a megaphone made out of iron as there was a ban on using speakers during the Emergency, Karunanidhi said the voice of the DMK reached the people despite the fact that the party lacked opportunities and facilities at that time. ‘We have now got enough strength. I am sure that no one can oppress our voice anymore,’ he said.

Finance Minister K Anbazhagan, Electricity Minister Arcot N Veeraswamy, Minister for Rural Industries and Animal Husbandry Pongalur N Palanisamy and other leaders of the ruling party took part in the wedding ceremony.

‘I want to marry now’

Karunanidhi, in his address today, said in a lighter vein ‘I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t marry now’, on seeing the gifts presented to the couples who entered wedlock.

‘Similar marriages should be conducted all over the State. Because, conducting self-respect weddings is an important agenda of the DMK,’ he said.