MGR remembered on 31st death anniversary

: Rich tributes were paid to AIADMK founder and late chief minister M G Ramachandran on his 31st death anniversary Monday.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami, deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam and senior party leaders paid floral tributes at the memorial of Ramachandran at the Marina Beach here.

While Panneerselvam is AIADMK Coordinator, Palaniswami is the Joint Coordinator.

Later, they took a pledge to win the coming bylections to the assembly and the parliamentary polls.

Actor-turned politician Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR among his followers, had formed the AIADMK after quitting the DMK in 1972 and captured power in the state in 1977.

He continued as the chief minister for 10 consecutive years till his death on December 24, 1987.

By-polls to 20 assembly constituencies, including the 18 which fell vacant following the disqualification of the sitting AIADMK members who sided with ousted Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader TTV Dhinakaran.

The other two seats Thiruvarur and Tiruparankundram are vacant following the death of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi and AIADMK MLA A K Bose respectively.

Scores of workers of the ruling AIADMK offered prayers and paid floral tributes at the memorial and elsewhere marking the occasion.

A report from neighbouring Puducherry said Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, his ministerial colleagues and legislators of Congress paid homage to the late leader.

AIADMK workers, led by its Legislature party leader A Anbalagan, offered tributes at their party headquarters and recalled MGR's contribution to the upliftment of the downtrodden.