Karunanidhi issues veiled threat with 'final appeal' to Centre

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said the UPA Govt should take expeditious steps to bring about a political solution to end the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, failing which he would 'relinquish power'.

In a veiled threat to Centre, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Friday said the UPA government should take expeditious steps to bring about a ceasefire and political solution to end the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, failing which he would "relinquish power".

HT Image

Moving a resolution in the State Assembly calling for Indian mediation to "first ensure a ceasefire and then initiate steps for a political solution" to bring about peace in Sri Lanka, Karunanidhi, however, did not make any direct reference to DMK's presence in the UPA government.

Karunanidhi also expressed "willingness to relinquish power if the efforts fail to bring peace in Sri Lanka".

If Centre did not heed the appeal, DMK's general council would meet to decide the next course of action.

As Karunanidhi moved the resolution, Opposition AIADMK and MDMK staged a walkout saying that they do not want to be part of the "drama" being staged by DMK.

However, the CPI and CPI-M, which recently aligned with AIADMK to contest the next Lok Sabha polls, stayed back and supported the resolution which was later adopted.

Speaking after moving the resolution, he said "we are making this final appeal since the earlier resolution passed by the assembly did not reap any benefits."

"Please don't ignore this final appeal. Ensure a ceasefire immediately and a political solution next," he said.

As a "great democracy" India had the right to intervene and question ethnic violence in any part of the world, Karunanidhi said while seeking India's role in Sri Lanka as Tamils there shared cultural ties with India.

He quoted late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's message in 1939 which said, "a day will come when her (India) long arm protection and her strength will compel justice for them (people of Indian origin living abroad)".