Hours after the Supreme Court passed strictures on his government, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi left the venue where he had been observing fast along with DPA allies since morning and attended to work at the Secretariat.

Karunanidhi left the venue after the news about the apex court's strictures on the DMK and his government came in. His ministerial colleagues also followed suit. Meanwhile, official sources said chief secretary L K Tripathy had given instructions to operate public transport immediately.

Arrangements had been made to ensure that normal life was maintained in the state. Buses were off the roads only because the crew did not report for duty, the sources added. The secretariat functioned normally, but attendance was thin.