Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M. Karunanidhi on Friday criticised Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for dragging his name while condemning Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for his reaction to an Assembly resolution demanding economic sanctions on Sri Lanka.
Condemning Mr. Rajapaksa, Ms. Jayalalithaa had termed “mere eyewash,” the actions taken by the DMK such as convening all-party meeting, meeting of legislature party leaders, passing resolutions in the Assembly, sending telegrams to Prime Minister and seeking resignation of Members of Parliament, Mr. Karunanidhi said in a statement here.
Opportunity for Tamils
Though Ms. Jayalalithaa had termed the steps a farce, the list provided an opportunity for Tamils living abroad to know the steps taken by the DMK for Sri Lankan Tamils, he said.
“While Mr. Rajapaksa has expressed his opinion on the resolution, Ms. Jayalalithaa has reacted to it. Where do I come in unnecessarily?”
Referring to Ms. Jayalalithaa's comment that Mr. Rajapaksa's remark showing concern for Tamils was like “the devil quoting the scripture,” Mr. Karunanidhi said, “Real Tamils have a duty to point out that her statement expressing concern for Tamils is also akin to the devil quoting the scripture. At the same time, the DMK opposes Mr. Rajapaksa's remark.”
The Sri Lankan Defence Secretary had alleged that there was a political motive behind the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopting the resolution seeking economic sanctions on Sri Lanka.
