In a surprise goodwill gesture not common among political opponents in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the DMK leader and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at his residence on Monday.

The scene outside the Gopalapuram residence of the DMK leader was unusual with saffron shawl wearing party workers, waving BJP flags, placards of Modi and BJP President Amit Shah and shouting Bharat Mata-ki Jai . Surprisingly, the familiar black-and-red DMK flags were missing.

But in the next 20 minutes, the DMK workers gathered in time to catch a glimpse of their beloved leader. Karunanidhi, who has been ailing for some time, made a rare public appearance on the threshold of his house and waved out to them with a smile after the Prime Minister left.

By then Modi had made his mark with the courtesy of calling on Karunanidhi. A move even veteran DMK workers acknowledged with respect, even if grudgingly.

Earlier in the day, news had spread that Modi, who was in Chennai on Monday to participate in the 75th anniversary celebrations of Daily Thanthi , the Tamil daily, will call on the 94-year-old Karunanidhi. BJP leader Muralidhar Rao had tweeted about the proposed visit by Modi.

DMK’s Working President MK Stalin who was abroad returned to Chennai early Monday.

At about 12.15 pm, the Prime Minister’s convoy arrived at Karunanidhi’s residence. He was received by Stalin, along with DMK leader Durai Murugan and BJP-Tamil Nadu President Tamilisai Soundararajan. Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit accompanied Modi.

Stalin welcomed Modi with a shawl. The dignitaries then went into the residence where Modi spent about 15 minutes interacting with Karunanidhi. He then left after waving to the gathered crowd.

Soundararajan met media persons after the meeting and said it was a courtesy call, which sets a platform for “a healthy political environment” in the State. It was a meeting of two senior leaders in public service. The Prime Minister greeted Karunanidhi and wished him a speedy recovery, she said.

Modi recalled his interactions with Karunanidhi on earlier occasions in Delhi. The DMK leader acknowledged Modi’s comments with a smile and presented him with books, she said.

Public appearance Soon after Modi left, Karunanidhi made a brief appearance on the threshold of his house flanked by Stalin and Durai Murugan. Karunanidhi waved out to the crowd with a smile. DMK supporters who had gathered by then went into raptures and screamed slogans of Kalaignar Vazhga .

While political pundits do not ascribe any significance to the visit, Modi has scored a public relations coup with the courtesy he has extended to the opposition party leader, a veteran politician, in the State.

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