Congress attends DMK’s TESO meet
8 March 2013 02:59 am
Despite the acrimony in Lok Sabha between the Congress and ally DMK over the upcoming resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Commission, both parties tried to reach out to each other at the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) meet held later on Thursday evening.
Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, along with Congress MP Natchiappan, went to attend the TESO meet organised by the DMK.
NCP MPs Supriya Sule and DP Tripathi too made a brief stopover at the conference. Though the DMK had invited all the political parties, including the BJP, JD (U), the Left and even the Akali Dal to drum up support for their cause, no major party sent its representative. VCK representatives were present. The organisers, led by DMK MP TR Baalu waited patiently for more MPs to turn up, but in the end, name boards of all major parties were removed at the venue.
Apparently, Azad, also the Congress in-charge for TN, attended the conference fearing further alienation of their ally. After DMK treasurer MK Stalin’s presidential remarks, the TESO held a closed door meeting to discuss the strategy ahead of the crucial UNHRC meet.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, who left midway, told reporters that his party was of the view that Sri Lanka should constitute an independent and credible inquiry to investigate the crimes against the Tamil population in Lanka.
Earlier, speaking during the conference, Stalin said: “The Sri Lankan government was waging a genocidal war against Tamils.. Tamils require resettlement and rehabilitation very urgently. The world community should think of creating a credible, independent, international inquiry into all events in Sri Lanka. A lasting solution lies in referendum.” The Channel 4 documentary showing horrific images of the Sri Lankan Army’s brutality was also shown at the venue.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi too had earlier indicated that his party would be attending the TESO meet. Sources said senior Congmen were of the view that nothing would be lost if they attended the meet.
(Express News Service)