DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi passed away at 6:10 PM on Tuesday at the Kauvery Hospital in Chennai.

The 94-year-old five-time Tamil Nadu chief minister was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital on July 28 following a dip in blood pressure, which stabilised following medical intervention.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on twitter.

Deeply saddened by the passing away of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. He was one of the senior most leaders of India.

We have lost a deep-rooted mass leader, prolific thinker, accomplished writer and a stalwart whose life was devoted to the welfare of the poor and the marginalised. pic.twitter.com/jOZ3BOIZMj— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2018

Karunanidhi, who wrote scripts for Tamil cinema before entering politics, was in hospital since July 26 for age-related ailments.

The hospital had, however, said on July 31 that an extended stay could be necessary due to age-related overall decline in his general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters.

A host of dignitaries and political leaders, including President Ram Nath Kovind Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi have visited the hospital over the last few days to inquire about the condition of the DMK veteran.

First Published:Aug 7, 2018 6:44 PM IST