Rahul, Kharge pay tribute to Karunanidhi on birth anniversary amid Congress-DMK strain

The birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) patriarch Muthuvel Karunanidhi on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) became an occasion for top Congress leaders to reach out to their former ally amid signs of strain in ties between the two parties.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge paid tributes to Mr. Karunanidhi, popularly known as “Kalaignar”, describing him as a beloved leader of Tamil Nadu.

In a post on X, Mr. Kharge said Mr. Karunanidhi’s lifelong commitment to social justice, equality, rational thought and democratic values transformed countless lives. “Kalaignar Karunanidhi’s immense contribution to public life, including art and literature, will forever be remembered with deep respect,” he added.