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Indian PM tries to allay Karunanidhi’s concerns over Sri Lanka
Oct 15, 201312:55 AM
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said a decision on his participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka would be taken only after considering all relevant factors, including the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and the DMK party.
The Prime Minister was responding to the concerns expressed by DMK chief M Karunanidhi over the deteriorating health of Tamil National Liberation Movement general secretary Thiyagu, who has been on hunger strike since October 1.
DMK parliamentary party leader T R Baalu met the Indian Prime Minister in New Delhi on Monday and conveyed his party chief’s concerns.
The Prime Minister responded to the party’s demand of India boycotting the CHOGM to be held in Colombo in November this year, a release from the party said.
In a letter to Karunanidhi, the Prime Minister said, “I was informed by Baalu your deep concern about the deteriorating health of Tamil National Liberation Movement general secretary Thiyagu, who is on hunger strike since October 1, demanding that I should not attend the CHOGM Conference to be held in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Manmohan requested Karunanidhi to use his good offices to persuade Thiyagu to call off his fast.
The DMK release said Baalu had conveyed the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu, political parties and the student community that the Prime Minister should not attend the CHOGM considering the alleged human rights violations by the Sri Lankan government. - ToI
