Chennai: DMK leader MK Stalin on Monday dismissed any politics in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with his father and DMK president M Karunanidhi.
Stalin told reporters that no politics was discussed between them nor was there any political intention behind PM Modi's courtesy call on his father.
He reiterated that there was nothing in the meeting for the media to speculate about, IANS reported.
DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan also said that not much should be read out of the meeting.
"Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) is a very senior leader in Indian politics. Mr Modi has respect for Kalaignar," he said.
He said in the past, when both were CMs, they used to greet each other during meetings in Delhi and this has been the practice.
"This is a courtesy call," he said, adding, the meeting was only to greet the leader who is recuperating.
This was the first meeting between the two leaders after Modi became the PM in May 2014.
The meeting at Karunanidhi's Gopalapuram residence during which PM Modi enquired about his health lasted about 20 minutes.
He sat next to wheelchair-bound DMK chief and held his hands.
Later the PM tweeted:
Met former Tamil Nadu CM, Thiru M Karunanidhi and enquired about his health. @kalaignar89 pic.twitter.com/ybrMWnAWEc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 6, 2017
Stalin, who is DMK working president, welcomed PM Modi at the gate of the residence and honoured him with a red shawl.
Hon'ble PM @narendramodi made a courtesy call on Dr @kalaignar89 tdy. The PM enquired about his health & wished him a speedy & full recovery pic.twitter.com/roXhx4hMk2
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) November 6, 2017
During his visit, PM Modi was accompanied by state Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan and state BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan.
Soundarrajan told reporters that the PM invited Karunanidhi to visit Delhi, as per PTI.
DMK leaders, including Kanimozhi, who is the daughter of Karunanidhi and a Rajya Sabha MP, were among those present during the meeting.
Later, Karunanidhi made a brief appearance outside and waved at his supporters who cheered him.
Karunanidhi, who was taken ill in October 2016 due to a drug-induced allergy, was twice admitted to a private hospital in December last.
He has been confined to his house, but made one rare appearance on October 19 this year when he visited an exhibition here held to showcase the 75-year journey of DMK's mouthpiece, 'Murasoli.
(With Agency inputs)
