Is Palanisamy bigger than Karunanidhi, Jayalalithaa, asks Rajinikanth

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palanisamy for not attending the funeral of late Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M. Karunanidhi near the iconic Anna Memorial at Marina beach here.

"While all the important leaders were present at Marina beach to pay last respects to Karunanidhi, why the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister did not come? Is he bigger than Kalaignar or Jayalalithaa?" Rajinikanth said at Karunanidhi's memorial event here on Monday.

Expressing his grief over Karunanidhi's demise, the Southern superstar said he was unable to think of Tamil Nadu sans the DMK Chief.

"Karunanidhi had passed the DMK through various victories, defeats, and betrayals. If leaders from across the world used to visit Tamil Nadu, they would definitely meet Karunanidhi. I do not know who they will meet hereafter," he added.

Karunanidhi was buried on August 8 beside former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai, in the presence of several high-profile politicians, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Trinamool Congress' Derek O Brien, among others.

However, Karunanidhi's funeral witnessed a lot of political drama.

The Madras High Court ended a political row between the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led state government after the latter had denied permission to bury the five-time chief minister at the Anna Memorial, and instead offered two acres of land at the Gandhi Mandapam.

In addition, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition filed by activist Traffic Ramaswamy, who challenged the Madras High Court's order granting permission to bury Karunanidhi at the Marina beach.

Karunanidhi breathed his last on August 7 in Chennai's Kauvery Hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 94.