It was a step back in time for octogenarian Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi as he walked down memory lane in his native village Tirukkuvalai on Thursday, reminiscing old times with his schoolmates.
Karunanidhi (85), who plunged into politics at the age of 14 and over the years rose through the DMK ranks to head the influential Dravidian party, was accorded a grand welcome by the villagers when he made a rare visit to meet his old friends and acquaintances.
A decorated house in the village played host to the meeting between the Chief Minister and his schoolmates --retired teachers Sadasivam and Thiagarajan and former highways contractor M Natarajan.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his son and deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin and daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and seven cabinet Ministers.
The Chief Minister with his cabinet colleagues later left for Tiruvarur on their way to Chennai.