Chennai: In an unfortunate turn of events, DMK cadres shouted slogans against Vaiko on Saturday night when he came to call on ailing Karunanidhi at Kauvery Hospital. The angry cadres also threw slippers at Vaiko’s car and prevented him from visiting Karunanidhi.

The incident against Vaiko, rekindling ugly memories of acrimonious split in the DMK, had its reaction as Stalin’s effigy was burnt at Kovilpatti as news of the insult to Vaiko spread over television channels.

Vaiko had come to enquire about the health of Karunanidhi who was rushed to Kauvery Hospital on Thursday night complaining of breathing trouble. Doctors attending on him said that he was suffering from throat and lung infection.

Stalin later expressed regret over the incident and chided his party cadres for behaving in such a fashion. He said in the statement that the DMK has the strength to face criticism in a democratic manner and urged the party cadres to mind their behaviour.

Karunanidhi, 92, was admitted to Kauvery Hospital on Thursday night due to breathing difficulty as well as throat and lung infection, said the hospital.

He underwent tracheotomy to optimise breathing on Friday. He has also been fed food directly bypassing his throat as he was facing difficulty in swallowing, said a member of the medical fraternity who is in the know of things.

Officially, the hospital maintained that “he is stable, on antibiotics and is being treated by a team of doctors.”

This is Karunanidhi’s second spell of hospitalisation this month after he was discharged on December 7 after spending a week there.