Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) General Secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth extended her gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government and the people who gathered at the party headquarters to pay their tributes to their leader 'Captain' Vijayakanth on Friday, December 29. Vijayakanth passed away yesterday and the news of his death has left his fans, party cadre, and the people in a state of grief, with Premalatha and her sons Shanmuga Pandian and Vijay Prabhakar performing the actor-politician's last rites rituals.
After the funeral proceedings, Premalatha addressed the public who had gathered to pay their last respects to Vijayakanth and also thanked the state government and Chief Minister M. K. Stalin in her heartfelt statement. She said, "I would first like to extend my gratitude on behalf of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam to the Tamil Nadu government, CM Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin, and all the ministers who facilitated on such short notice to make our beloved leader's final journey possible. Similarly, Chennai Corporation's Mr. Radhakrishnan worked overnight to make sure that the funeral proceedings progressed smoothly and I also thank the Public Works Department (PWD). Furthermore, on behalf of our 'Captain' and all the DMDK, we would like to give a royal salute to the Tamil Nadu Police and thank all of them. Our journalist friends, who stayed by our side and reported the news these past two days, I want to convey my gratitude."
Premalatha Vijayakanth further stated, "We traveled from Island Grounds to the DMDK headquarters today for 14 kilometers and it took us around 3 hours to reach here. Despite the pain you all are carrying, I fold both my hands in honor and thank you all on behalf of the DMDK for paying your tributes to our 'Captain'." She continued, "As per the information we have received, no other leader has been received like our beloved 'Captain' as more than 15 lakh people are said to have participated in his final journey. Tamil Nadu has witnessed such an emotional and affectionate crowd for the first time and that is because of the good deeds and thoughts of our 'Captain'. And, that is why all the people came together and sent him off on his final journey to the heavens, and I want to thank you all."
Premalatha Vijayakanth concluded her speech by saying, "The party ring that our 'Captain' wears will remain with him always and we have paid our respects to him accordingly. I thank all his followers with my folded hands at your feet as your sister because we're all going through deep sorrow today since we have lost our leader. But, we all will fulfill our leader's dream and submit the fruits of the victory at his feet, and that day will mark DMDK's true victory day." She added, "A memorial for our leader will be built at our party headquarters along with his picture and a lamp that will always remain lit. A pooja will be performed and all his followers can come to pay their respects to him at this place like a temple. Our leader remains within us and has not gone away anywhere. His soul has gone to the heavens because he's a noble person and he will be wishing us always."
Watch Premalatha Vijayakanth's speech after 'Captain' Vijayakanth's funeral in the video below:
