DMK president M Karunanidhi on Sunday said his party’s support to the UPA would depend on Delhi backing the resolution of his ‘Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation’ (TESO) demanding referendum among the Tamils living in Sri Lanka and abroad to help arrive at a political solution for the island nation.
The assertion indicates hardening of his relations with the UPA in general and Congress in particular even as rumours gathered strength that the Dravidian stalwart has already begun moves towards a new coalition for the 2014 Lok Sabha poll.
Addressing at the felicitation function of DMK treasurer M. K. Stalin and Parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu for their successful visit to UN and UNHRC, Mr. Karunanidhi said many new countries have been created by United Nations sponsored referendums.
“We should take steps to hold such a referendum. For this, not only Tamil Nadu but also Indian government should support us. If they backed our demand for the United Nations supported referendum among Tamils, we can support them,” Karunanidhi, whose party lends crucial support to the UPA at Centre with 18 Lok Sabha MPs, said. He added that to achieve this TESO should be strengthened and Lankan Tamils issue should be made a talking point in every household.
Stalin thanked his sister and DMK MP Kanimozhi for fixing an appointment with UNHRC chief Navaneetham Pillai.
Playing down the criticism for organising rousing reception for Mr Stalin and Mr Baalu, DMK general secretary K. Anbazhagan said that they have accomplished an important task entrusted by TESO for welfare of Lankan Tamils.
Earlier, Stalin and Baalu arrived to a rousing reception by their party workers led by party chief M. Karunanidhi at the Chennai airport with folk artistes performing thappu melam and parai melam. DMK workers started thronging the airport from 6 am though Stalin’s flight from London was scheduled to arrive only at 8 am.
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