Freebies and launch of various welfare schemes marked the celebration of Union Minister M K Alagiri's 62nd birthday by his supporters here.

DMK supporters at the venue where the freebies were distributed, said better publicity would be given in future to celebrate his birthday as the corporation had 'restricted' the number of posters and cutouts of their leader.

They alleged that the district administration had also started taking action against wall paintings, though these were just announcements of the freebies to be given away.

The venue of the freebies distribution wore a festive look with posters and buntings and a traditional chenda melam percussion group from Kerala playing. Posters praising Alagiri and his son Durai Dayanidhi were put up at various places.

The cadres had organised blood donation camps and distribution of free food at some places since January 26 and said they planned to distribute welfare schemes to at least one lakh people this year.

Welfare assistance was distributed to a large number of people, mostly women.

Alagiri garlanded the statues of Periyar and Annadurai.

Alagiri said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi greeted him while AICC chief Sonia Gandhi had sent greetings.