India Inc mourned the death of DMK leader M Karunanidhi and five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu by paying glowing tributes to his leadership, and more importantly, his passion to industrialise the State.

“He strode the Indian political scene like a colossus for over five decades,” said Vice-Chairman & Managing Director of India Cements, N Srinivasan, who had a close association with Karunanidhi. “He wanted industrialisation of the State realising that it was the only way by which jobs would be created for the people. He had the knack of getting industry to support him at all time.”

Srinivasan added that Karunanidhi was passionate about cricket and a big supporter of the Chennai Super Kings.

“The country has lost a great visionary and dynamic and inspiring leader who had worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the underprivileged and ensured equitable socio-economic development for the people of Tamil Nadu,” said Rakesh Bharti Mittal, President, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

He highlighted that during Karunanidhi’s tenures as chief minister , industrial growth in Tamil Nadu had progressed remarkably well.

Chairman of the Mahindra group, Anand Mahindra tweeted recalling his various encounters with the DMK leader saying he was stuck by his informality, humour and hearty laugh.

“My heart is heavy today… his passing away is a personal loss to me. He was always a supporter of my efforts to build India’s first corporate hospital,” said Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group.

Mourning the death of the DMK President, M Rafeeque Ahmed, former chairman of FICCI and CLE (Council for Leather Exports) pointed out that the former chief minister was instrumental in supporting the development of the Sriperumbudur-Oragadam corridor, which has now emerged into a global production centre. “The State has lost a great leader who supported the industry,” he said.

P Murari, Advisor to President of FICCI, and former secretary to the President of India, said Tamil Nadu had lost one of the greatest literary and political personalities of this generation. “Truly, a great loss for the state. Even though he belonged to rationalist movement, MK was very secular in his approach and tolerated everybody,” he said.

The Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Karunanidhi was an able administrator and his contribution to the industrial development of the State was legendary.

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