DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Monday accused Chief Minister Jayalalithaa of shedding crocodile tears for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils.
Addressing a public meeting in Chennai Central Lok Sabha constituency, Mr. Karunanidhi recalled the resolution passed by the AIADMK government led by her in the past in the Assembly, urging the Centre to take measures for the arrest and extradition of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabakaran.
“She is now shedding crocodile tears for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils and Prabakaran,” he said, reacting to Ms. Jayalalithaa’s charges earlier in the day that the DMK had betrayed the Sri Lankan Tamils and Tamil Nadu fishermen repeatedly. He also recalled her statement in the past that the LTTE and its leader should never be allowed to set foot on Indian soil as it could endanger the security and sovereignty of the nation.
“It is only the DMK that has raised voice for the welfare of the Lankan Tamils,” he said, claiming credit.
The DMK withdrew support to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance after being convinced that the national party did not share the DMK’s concerns for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils. “Congress could not be trusted anymore,” he said.
Responding to Ms. Jayalalithaa’s charge that she stalled only schemes benefiting the DMK, Mr. Karunanidhi said the new Secretariat-cum-Assembly complex, the Samacheer Kalvi scheme and Anna Centenary Library were all aimed at benefiting the people but opposed by the AIADMK government which relented only after the intervention of courts.
Despite his ill-health, the DMK chief said he had come to seek votes for the party candidate and his grand-nephew, Dayanidhi Maran, in Chennai Central constituency, as party cadre had a special place in his heart.
Published - April 22, 2014 01:47 am IST
