Opening up on the subject publicly for the first time, DMK leader M.K. Stalin on Tuesday said he had pleaded with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami to allot space at the Marina beach to bury party President and his father M. Karunanidhi.

Addressing an emergency meeting of the party's Executive Committee, Stalin recalled: "We (party leaders and family members) met the Chief Minister and made our request. He said the norms do not allow a former Chief Minister to be buried at Marina beach.