PTI, CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met ailing DMK supremo M Karunanidhi, a former Tamil Nadu chief minister, even as the regional party indicated that the meeting did not have any political overtones. This was the first meeting between the two leaders after Modi became the prime minister in May 2014. The meeting at Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence during which Modi enquired about his health lasted about 20 minutes. Modi sat next to wheelchair-bound Karunanidhi, 93, and held his hands.
“Met former Tamil Nadu CM, Thiru M Karunanidhi and enquired about his health.@kalaignar89,” Modi wrote on his official Twitter page. The opposition DMK indicated that not much should be read out of the meeting and that it was a courtesy call. “Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) is a very senior leader in Indian politics. Mr Modi has respect for Kalaignar,” DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan said. He said in the past, when both were chief ministers, they used to greet each other during meetings in Delhi and this has been the practice.
“This is a courtesy call,” he said, adding, the meeting was only to greet the leader who is recuperating.
