“முதலமைச்சர்கள் கொடியேற்றும் உரிமையைப் பெற்றுத் தந்தவர் கலைஞர்” – கனிமொழி

According to News7 Tamil, DMK Member of Parliament Kanimozhi has credited the late party leader M. Karunanidhi with securing the right for state Chief Ministers to hoist the national flag on Independence Day. Kanimozhi made these remarks while highlighting the contributions of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to state autonomy and federal rights in India.

Historically, the practice of Chief Ministers hoisting the national flag at state-level Independence Day celebrations was not always standard across all Indian states. The DMK has long maintained that Karunanidhi played a pivotal role in advocating for this right with the central government during his tenure, arguing that it was essential for recognizing the status of elected state leaders within the federal structure.

This statement comes as part of ongoing political discourse in Tamil Nadu regarding the legacy of the Dravidian movement and its influence on center-state relations. Supporters of the DMK frequently cite such administrative milestones as evidence of Karunanidhi's commitment to strengthening the powers of state governments against central overreach.