Signalling a shift in approach to the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu on Monday said it could consider pulling out of the ruling coalition at the Centre, if the government’s “latest warning” to the neighbouring country fails to end the Lankan military’s offensive against the Tamils.
Addressing a rally in Mylapore area here on Monday night, Chief Minister and DMK chief M. Karunanidhi said he was hopeful that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s assurance on steps to ensure protection of the Island’s Tamil population would bear fruit immediately and end Lankan army’s relentless bombing.
Karunanidhi, who spoke to the PM over the phone on Monday, said he had explained to Singh the ground situation in Northern Sri Lanka, and his party’s decision to send lakhs of telegrams to the PM, requesting his intervention to end the “genocide” on the Island nation. After the talk, Lankan envoy was summoned and told that India condemned the killings and Lankan government was told to behave, Karunanidhi said at the rally.
While he lauded Singh for his concern and quick response, Karunanidhi also urged the United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and PM to find a solution to the protracted ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka as it would go a long way in protecting the Tamil population in that country. “If the Sri Lankan government persist with its war on the Tamils there, we can no longer remain mute spectators in Tamil Nadu,” Karunanidhi said, urging the Centre to “help us in our efforts” to save the Island’s Tamils.
{{/usCountry}}While he lauded Singh for his concern and quick response, Karunanidhi also urged the United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and PM to find a solution to the protracted ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka as it would go a long way in protecting the Tamil population in that country. “If the Sri Lankan government persist with its war on the Tamils there, we can no longer remain mute spectators in Tamil Nadu,” Karunanidhi said, urging the Centre to “help us in our efforts” to save the Island’s Tamils.
{{/usCountry}}