A day after two DMK Members of Parliament denied signing a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama that sought denial of a visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, party president M. Karunanidhi warned that disciplinary action would be taken against any MP who signed such a petition.
The DMK’s stand was that the party should not interfere in the Centre’s external affairs policy. Intervention in the Modi visa issue was unacceptable to the party and the DMK high command did not approve of members affixing their signatures in the petition. When he contacted them, party MPs denied having signed the petition, Mr. Karunanidhi said in a statement. DMK Rajya Sabha member K.P. Ramalingam on Wednesday denied having signed the petition and termed his signature a clear case of forgery.
S. Thangavelu, another MP, said they could not sign such a petition without consulting the party leadership.
R. Thamaraiselvan felt his signature could have been forged.
A.A. Jinnah and J.K. Ritheesh are the other MPs shown as signatories to the petition.
Addressing an Iftar party organised by the Indian Union Muslim League, Mr. Karunanidhi said his party would continue to serve the interests of minorities, especially Muslims, and called upon them to remain united as it was absence of unity that resulted in the demolition of Babri Masjid.
