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‘MR was the only option to discuss Tamil issue’

22 May 2014 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Amidst growing opposition from parties in Tamil Nadu to the invitation to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for Narendra Modi's swearing-in as Prime Minister, Congress state unit yesterday virtually defended it, saying the Lankan leader was the only option to discuss issues related to welfare of minority Tamils in Sri Lanka.

"Congress has no second opinion on issues like equal political status to Tamils, implementation of 13th Amendment to Sri Lankan Constitution (on devolution of powers) and probe into (alleged) war crimes. At the same time, if these have to be implemented, we have to talk to the Sri Lankan President only," TNCC President B. S. Gnanadesikan said.

He was responding to reporter’s queries on Modi inviting Rajapaksa, which has been opposed by some political parties including DMK and MDMK, the latter a BJP ally.

Gnanadesikan insisted that Sri Lanka was "our neighbour" and a SAARC member, therefore it was in India's interest that friendly ties were maintained with that nation. "That is diplomacy," he said.

He expressed hope that the BJP would continue to work with the 'same concern' for Tamils as the previous Congress-led UPA had done.

BJP state unit President Pon Radhakrishnan defended the decision to invite Rajapaksa and said he would talk to MDMK leader Vaiko, the first to oppose the move.

"Rajapaksa has been invited as part of the invitation to heads of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries and not individually," he told reporters here.

"Nothing will be done to compromise on securing the rights of Indian fishermen and that of Tamils in Sri Lanka," he said adding international issues like the one involving Lanka would take some time to get resolved.

He also said an invitation had been sent to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for the swearing-in ceremony of Modi.

Radhakrishnan, elected from the coastal district of Kanyakumari in the recent Lok Sabha polls, said ensuring the safe return of fishermen from sea would be his priority.

Quoting former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj who said he would not criticise DMK for six months after it was voted to power in 1967 dethroning Congress, the BJP leader appealed to political parties and the people to extend a similar gesture to the NDA regime. "Please extend your full support and cooperate."

Meanwhile, Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi, an ally of ruling AIADMK, announced a protest demonstration in Chennai on May 26, 2014 against Rajapaksa's visit.(PTI)

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‘MR was the only option to discuss Tamil issue’

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