Tamil Nadu

“Don’t give up decision of all-party meet”

CHENNAI: Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Tuesday urged Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi to defer, but not to give up altogether the decision of the all party meeting that the MPs from Tamil Nadu would resign if India failed to intervene and stop the military offensive against the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Talking to reporters Mr Thirumavalavan said the resignation of the MPs would affect the stability of the government at the Centre and eventually defeat the objective of finding a solution to the ethnic crisis.

“If there is no government, we will be left with no one to pressure the Sri Lankan government,” he explained.

Asked how he could describe the meeting between Chief Minster M.Karunanidhi and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee as a victory for the Tamils when no concrete steps had been taken to ensure a ceasefire in Sri Lanka, he said such a major decision could not be taken by the two leaders alone. It has to come from the Prime Minister, he pointed out.

He, however, said the Indian government could certainly force the Sri Lankan government to announce a ceasefire in 24 hours.

Mr Thirumavalavan, a staunch support of the LTTE and its leader Prabakaran, said only those who could not differentiate liberation movements from violence culture were denigrating the LTTE and its role.

“How can the LTTE sustain the war for 25 years if it does not have the support of the people. The Indian government should consider the request of the LTTE to lift the ban on it,” he added.

He did not agree with the viewpoint that MDMK general secretary Vaiko, presidium chairman M.Kannappan and film directors Seeman and Ameer had by their extreme views in support of the Sri Lankan Tamils undermined the unanimity in Tamil Nadu.

“Every individual is entitled to hold opinions. You cannot call it an act of treason because they said that they would take up arms,” he said.

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