Karunanidhi pounces on VCK, PMK

Chennai Bureau

(January 19, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Taking direct potshots at Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan and an indirect dig at PMK supremo Dr S Ramadoss, who sought his support to their ‘protests’ over the Lankan issue, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said he was happy to lose power if it was for the benefit of his fellow men.

In a carefully constructed letter to his partymen which was loaded with pun and emotion, the DMK president said the protests against the Sri Lankan government in Tamilnadu have now been diverted to be a tirade against the Congress party.

‘Like how an internal strife between Tamils weakened their struggle in the island nation, difference of opinion amongst us over the issue would spoil our unity,’ he said.

Stating that some were trying to dethrone him from the Chief Minister’s chair, Karunanidhi, however, said he was ready to even give his life for the sake of Tamils.

‘At the same time, I won’t keep quiet if attempts are made to disgrace the DMK, a movement with one crore members, which was founded by mentor Anna.’
He wondered why Thirumavalavan was announcing protests after protests, that too after meeting him in person a few days ago.

‘He had unilaterally launched a hunger strike on the Sri Lankan issue.just a day after he called on me along with Ramadoss and Dravidar Kazhagam chief K Veeramani. Now he has announced that his partymen would burn the flag of Sri Lanka.’

The Chief Minister also expressed his unhappiness with the Centre for not sending External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Lanka as assured earlier.

Asserting that the sentiments of Tamils here on the issue had been expressed through several rallies, conferences and fasts, Karunanidhi said, ‘it is important to note the outcome of Indian Foreign Secretary Shivasankar Menon’s visit to Colombo.’

Referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s assurance to him on deputing External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Colombo, he said it is disappointing that the date for the trip was yet to be finalised.

Karunanidhi said that he as a Chief Minister had been doing whatever possible for the peaceful living of Sri Lankan Tamils with full rights in their country. - Sri Lanka Guardian