Cutting across pary lines, leaders from major political parties paid heartfelt tributes to veteran communist leader R. Nallakannu on Wednesday, recalling his lifelong dedication to social justice and the upliftment of the poor.
Chief Minister M. K. Stalin fondly remembered the deep respect that former DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi had for Nallakannu. Quoting Karunanidhi, Stalin said: “Though I do not have proper vision in one eye, I have another in my heart, that is Nallakannu.” He added that Nallakannu always showed warmth and affection, and that he made it a practice to meet him on his birthday every year to seek his blessings.
CPI general secretary D. Raja said Nallakannu’s legacy would continue to strengthen the struggle for a secular, democratic and socialist India. CPM state secretary P. Shanmugam described his passing as a great loss to the working class.
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan urged the Centre to confer the Bharat Ratna on Nallakannu in recognition of his service.
Among those who also paid tribute were MDMK leader Vaiko, TNCC chief K. Selvaperunthagai, BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran, DMK MP Kanimozhi, AMMK leader T. T. V. Dhinakaran, PMK founder S. Ramadoss, MNM leader Kamal Haasan, and TVK chief Vijay.
The outpouring of tributes reflected the wide respect Nallakannu commanded across the political spectrum and reaffirmed his enduring influence on Tamil Nadu’s public life.