Sri Lankan Tamils should go back: BJP leader

The best solution on the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu would be the return to their motherland, as their votes in the island nation matter very much for the welfare of the Tamils there, said Bharatiya Janata Party leader, L. Ganesan.  

Defending the BJP’s stand on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), he told reporters on Tuesday that the BJP did not do anything in a stealthy manner. “There is no hidden agenda on this issue. It was there in our election manifesto,” he said. He said that the Opposition parties were trying to mislead the nation with their lies.  

“I am not against citizenship being given to Sri Lankan Tamils. But, they do not want it. They want to go back. That would be the best solution as their votes are more important in Sri Lanka,” he said. He however, said that they would not be forced to go back. But, this is not the case with the minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, he added.  

On the BJP’s defeat in Jharkhand Assembly election, he said that people know the best who to vote for in a State election and who would be the best to lead the nation. “Victory and defeat are natural for any political party,” he added.  

Mr. Ganesan described as “inappropriate behaviour” of gold medallist, Rabeeha Abdurehim, in a convocation function at Pondicherry University in which President of India, Ram Nath Kovind took part. “She was misled by political leaders,” he said.  

On the upcoming local body elections, he said people should make an informed choice and elect an honest person who was interested only in the service of voters, as their leaders. (The Hindu)