DMK MPs send telegrams to Prez, PM and Lankan Govt

As DMK President M Karunanidhi went on an indefinite fast demanding unconditional ceasefire in Sri Lanka, his party MPs made separate appeals to the Centre and the Lankan government to stop the offensive in the Island nation.

As DMK President M Karunanidhi went on an indefinite fast demanding unconditional ceasefire in Sri Lanka, his party MPs on Monday made separate appeals to the Centre and the Lankan government to stop the offensive in the Island nation.

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Stating that the 84-year-old leader took the step against medical advice 'risking his precious life', the party's Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs sent separate telegrams to President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse.

"He had undergone a serious spinal cord surgery recently and is still on post-operative treatment. He is risking his precious life for the cause of the Sri Lankan Tamils," they said.

"We on our behalf and on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu kindly appeal to you with all our heart and soul to put heavy pressure on the Sri Lankan President (Mahinda Rajapakse) for putting an end to the on-going hostilities and (ensure) a permanent ceasefire in the Island nation," they said in telegrams to the Indian leaders.

Later, speaking to reporters, DMK MP and former Union IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran described Karunanidhi's fast as a 'Gandhian way' to carry out all democratic forms of struggle to ensure peace in Sri Lanka.

DMK, part of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, has 16 Lok Sabha and four Rajya Sabha members in the Parliament.