Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian on Thursday called for the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, during a Lok Sabha session.

Addressing members of Parliament, Thangapandian described Karunanidhi as a towering personality in Dravidian politics and a champion of social justice and good governance. She said the central government should recognise his lifelong public service with the Bharat Ratna, noting that no leader from the DMK has yet received the nation’s top civilian award.

Thangapandian recalled Karunanidhi’s long and distinguished political journey — from humble beginnings in a village in Thanjavur district to serving multiple terms as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. She highlighted his contributions across politics and literature, pointing out his unwavering participation in every state legislative election from 1957 to 2016 without defeat and his influence as a political and cultural figure.

The MP also referenced Karunanidhi’s wider impact on social justice and effective administration, arguing that his legacy made him worthy of a Bharat Ratna.

The demand reflects longstanding calls from political circles in Tamil Nadu and beyond to recognise Karunanidhi’s contributions at the national level; similar appeals have surfaced periodically in recent years from various party leaders and supporters.