Chennai, May 13 (IANS) With the DMK routed in the 2011 assembly elections, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the party's president M. Karunanidhi Friday said the people have given him a rest.

 
 "People have given me rest," was the cryptic comment of the 87-year-old Karunanidhi to reporters here.
 
 Karunanidhi was hoping to become the chief minister for a record sixth time.
 
 During the past five years the veteran leader had been saying that he would focus on party work handing over the state administration to Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
 
 However, the emergence of a succession war between Stalin and his elder brother M.K. Alagiri forced Karunanidhi to postpone such a decision.
 
 Karunanidhi Friday resigned from the post after his DMK-led alliance was routed in the assembly polls.