Move over Karuna, Jaya champions Eelam?

Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 5:10 am

AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa preys on DMK supremo Karunanidhi’s turf, takes up cudgels on behalf of Tamils in Sri Lanka. In a move symbolising the shifting political sands in Tamil Nadu, All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief J Jayalalithaa has for the first time espoused support for Tamils in Sri Lanka.

In what is seen as a strategic shift in the party’s policy, Jayalalithaa has announced her support to the massive protests being organised by the CPI against the treatment of Tamils in Sri Lanka on October 2nd.

Jayalalithaa’s decision is being seen as a masterstroke to sideline Dravida Munnetra Kazagam (DMK) boss and Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi who has been at the receiving end of Dravidian parties, who allege the DMK chief is no longer a vociferous supporter of the cause of Eelam.

With Congress for an ally, Karunanidhi has been muted in expressing solidarity with Lankan Tamils over issues like military aid to Sri Lanka and the Eelam struggle.

The DMK has meanwhile announced that they will hold a public meeting in protest on October 6th.

But Jaya’s change of stance has not gone down well with DMK chief Karunanidhi who has issued a strong statement, saying, “The Tamils of Sri Lanka know to distinguish between genuine supporters of the Eelam cause and those who pretend.”

Karunanidhi went on to say the Sri Lankan Tamils are aware of the consistent support the DMK has extended to them.

Suresh Premchandran, MP, Sri Lanka Tamil National Alliance speaking on extended hand of Jayalalithaa said, “Jayalalithaa’s gesture is a good beginning. She has now understood the struggle. It will send right message to other parties and central government.”

BJP backs Jayalalithaa

And the BJP also demanded that the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu seek the Centre’s intervention in ensuring a political resolution to the ethnic conflict in the island nation. State unit president L Ganesan told reporters that since the DMK was ruling the state and was a part of the Congress-led UPA at the Centre, it should take up the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He lauded various political parties in Tamil Nadu for standing united for the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils.

The CPI is observing a fast on the Lankan issue on October 2. Volunteers of the AIADMK and DMDK would be participating in the fast while the DMK is organising a public meeting here on October 6 to express solidarity.

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

Move over Karuna, Jaya champions Eelam?

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