Karunanidhi’s final resting place between mentor Annadurai and arch rival Jayalalithaa

Karunanidhi was allotted space at the beachfront which also has memorials of three former chief ministers

M Karunanidhi, an iconic figure in Tamil Nadu politics, was buried with state honours at Chennai’s Marina Beach this evening. The five-time chief minister was allotted space at the beachfront which also has memorials of three other former chief ministers, including his mentor CN Annadurai and rival J Jayalalithaa.

M Karunanidhi was buried with state honours at Marina Beach this evening (ANI Twitter)

Karunanidhi, who always appeared in public wearing dark glasses and a yellow shawl, was today wrapped in the tricolor. The casket carrying his body read, “a person who continued to work without rest, now takes rest.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal’s chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Karnataka’s H D Kumaraswamy, Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana’s K Chandrasekhar Rao, actor-politicians Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat, former CMs of Kerala and Uttar Pradesh Oommen Chandy and Akhilesh Yadav were among leaders who had paid homage to the departed leader.

The DMK had earlier submitted a sketch in the Madras High Court describing the spot for Karunanidhi’s burial between the two iconic leaders.

A sketch submitted by DMK in the Madras High Court describing the spot for Karunanidhi’s burial (HT Photo)

The decision was then placed in the hands of the Madras High Court which ruled in DMK’s favour. Karunanidhi’s heir apparent MK Stalin earlier broke down after the court gave its hearing. Both Stalin and his family members earlier today laid wreath as a tribute to the politician.

Thousands, including veteran politicians and leaders, have been mourning over Karunanidhi’s death – the last leader in Tamil Nadu with a mass following.