In what seems to be a comedy of sorts the so called ‘headquarters’ of the now militarily defunct LTTE releasing a statement has lauded the World Tamil Classical conference at Coimbatore however criticizing Tamil Nadu for not protecting the LTTE from defeat.

Adding further humour Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Sunday welcomed outlawed LTTE’s lauding of the World Tamil Classical conference at Coimbatorebut said its remark that Tamils of the state have not taken steps to protect them will create a “needless controversy”.

In a statement here, Karunanidhi said he did not have differences over LTTE’s remarks that the conference would deliberate on steps for speedier development of the language and help unify Tamils.

“But their remarks that Tamils in this state have not taken any steps to protect them will only trigger a needless controversy,” he said.

The LTTE should ponder over who had termed them as those fit to be annihilated when all of Tamil Nadu was up in arms against ‘atrocities’ on Sri Lankan Tamils, he said in an obvious reference to AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa’s remarks that LTTE volunteers were not innocent Tamils.

He said he drew solace from the fact that LTTE had welcomed the conference, “unlike some in Tamil Nadu, who are issuing statements against the conference”.

^Agencies