“People have given me good rest; my greetings” - M. Karunanidhi

Chennai (The Hindu): “People have given me good rest; my greetings” was the cryptic response of Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi.

When he was coming out of his Gopalapuram residence on Friday afternoon, he was asked by waiting reporters about the results of the elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly, which saw the alliance headed by him being routed and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam returned to power.

Anna Arivalayam, headquarters of the DMK on the Anna Salai, wore a deserted look with only a few party workers.

The mood of those present was obviously sombre, despair and despondency was writ large on their faces. Even the lights and television had been switched off.

Normally a beehive of activity with a number of DMK volunteers milling around, the party office saw only some police personnel and mediapersons hoping to have a word with Mr. Karunanidhi.

Even as the results started trickling in, some television crew present on the campus had a tough time as party workers began showering abuses on the media in general and on English television channels in particular, alleging they were instrumental in spreading “canards” against the party.