Date:30/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/30/stories/2008103050030100.htm

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No differences with Centre: Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

— Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

NEW FACILITY: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi inaugurating the Rajiv Gandhi Salai on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: There is no place for difference of opinion with the Union Government in extending cooperation to bring about peace in Sri Lanka, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Wednesday.

Reiterating the position of his government and of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on the issue, Mr. Karunanidhi said that Sri Lankan Tamils should be safeguarded. Peace should be established in the island nation.

Those who were creating such a scenario should be supported.

“This has been our posi tion. There is no change in our policy,” he said, dedicating the 20-km-long Rajiv Gandhi Salai (from Madhya Kailash temple in Taramani to Siruseri) at a function at Sholinganallur near here.

Citing newspaper reports published in 1989 wherein former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was quoted as having appreciated the DMK government for its cooperation with the Centre on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, the Chief Minister said he referred to them only to show that his government working together with the Centre was not new.