DMK Deputy General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi N. Siva has stirred controversy with remarks made during a party meeting in Perambur, Chennai. In his speech, Siva claimed that late former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj (referred to as Kamarajar), before his death, held the hand of then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and urged him to “save the country and democracy.”
Siva didn’t stop there, he further alleged that Kamaraj, often praised for his simple lifestyle, would not sleep without air conditioning. He stated that Karunanidhi himself told him this, and that it inspired the DMK government to install air conditioning in all guest house in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking at the DMK meeting, Tiruchi Siva said, “Similarly, when I was around 23 or 24, Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) would take me in his car and recount some events. Some people would question why he was telling these things to a young kid. But he knew I would speak about them in public meetings and convey them effectively to the people. He would tell me many such stories. One day, he told me this, ‘Kamarajar has organized condemnation meetings all over Tamil Nadu against electricity shortage. Kamarajar would get an allergy if he didn’t have air conditioning. So, he (Karunanidhi) ordered that all the visitors’ bungalows where he stayed be equipped with air conditioning. Even though he (Kamaraj) was speaking against him, considering his health, I made sure all those bungalows had air conditioning.”
Later he peddled another story saying, “During the Emergency, they were desperate to arrest him but couldn’t do it in Tamil Nadu. Just then, he was about to leave for an event in Tirupati. A message went from the Chief Minister’s office, saying, ‘Please don’t go to Tirupati.’ He retorted, ‘I’m not a DMK member; I’m a Congress member, Who is he to tell me that tell me I can’t go?’ Then, he told, ‘I’m not a DMK leader, I’m the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. My order is that you shouldn’t go there.’ Immediately, he shot back, ‘What? You’re ordering me? I’m the one who gave up that chair! Is this guy so big that he can order me around? I’m going!’ So, thalaivar called Rajaram Naidu and said, ‘Please make him understand. I’m not a big shot who can order him around. There’s nothing above him. The Central Government is desperate to arrest him. As long as he’s within Tamil Nadu’s borders, I will protect him. If he crosses this border and goes to Tirupati, which is in Andhra, I won’t be able to save him if they arrest him. That’s why I asked him not to go.’ It was only then that he (Kamaraj) said, ‘I spoke without understanding him. He has such a big heart. ‘ Finally, holding his hand, before his death, he said, ‘You are the one who must save this country and democracy.'”
சாகும் தறுவாயில் கருணாநிதி கையை பிடித்தாரா காமராஜர்..? திருச்சி சிவா சொல்கிறார்..! #Kamarajar | #Kalaignar | #TrichySiva | #PolimerNews https://t.co/iESGBYEGzM
— Polimer News (@polimernews) July 16, 2025
Tiruchi Siva’s claims particularly those suggesting that K. Kamaraj required air conditioning to sleep and that his final words were directed at Karunanidhi have drawn widespread criticism. Many have pointed out that historical accounts indicate Kamaraj’s actual last words were to his aide, “Vairava, turn off that lamp,” before retiring to bed, never to wake again.
Such remarks attempt to rewrite history to elevate M. Karunanidhi’s legacy, in contrast to the widely respected image of Kamaraj as a symbol of simplicity and selflessness. Kamaraj, who served as Chief Minister of the then Madras State, was known for his austere lifestyle a value deeply rooted in his upbringing.
One notable example of Kamaraj’s commitment to public service without personal privilege was his treatment of his mother, Sivakami Ammal. Despite holding the highest office in the state, Kamaraj did not allow any special treatment for his family. When local authorities tried to install a private water connection at his mother’s home in Virudhunagar, he ordered its immediate removal. His mother continued drawing water from a public well like any other villager.
Sivakami Ammal herself remained in their humble ancestral home, uninterested in relocating to Chennai or living in luxury. Her self-reliance was evident even earlier in life; after the death of her husband, she reportedly sold all her jewelry except her earrings and used the interest from the deposited proceeds to support the family a testament to her financial discipline and resilience. These formative experiences instilled in Kamaraj the values of integrity, frugality, and public service, which he upheld throughout his life.
Kamaraj never married, lived modestly, and left behind only a few personal belongings some clothes, books, and a small amount of money. His lifestyle was not only a personal choice but a public statement of his principles.
Ironically, despite his stature, Kamaraj was often ridiculed by the DMK during Karunanidhi’s leadership. Far from revering him, Karunanidhi and his party frequently caricatured and criticized Kamaraj, playing a role in his political downfall. This makes Siva’s recent glorification of Kamaraj’s alleged final moments with Karunanidhi all the more jarring and, according to critics, historically disingenuous.
The remarks have sparked sharp condemnation, notably from political leader Trichy Velusamy, and have triggered intense backlash on social media. Many see Siva’s comments as a deliberate distortion of the life and values of one of Tamil Nadu’s most respected leaders.
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