Tamil National Alliance leader R. Sampanthan has sought an appointment with Jayalalithaa for what could be the first meeting between the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the TNA.
Congratulating her on the AIADMK’s “resounding victory” in the Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Sampanthan said it was an “astounding achievement” that pointed to the influence Ms. Jayalalithaa was capable of wielding.
‘No genuine commitment’In an apparent attempt to reach out to Tamil Nadu, days after congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his election victory, Mr. Sampanthan thanked Ms. Jayalalithaa for her continued support for a solution to the Tamil question in Sri Lanka. He pointed to the lack of a genuine commitment on the part of the Sri Lankan government to evolve an acceptable solution.
Mr. Sampanthan said he had met the former Chief Ministers, M.G. Ramachandran, and M. Karunanidhi, at different points. But “we have not met Madam Jayalalithaa so far,” said the 81 year-old politician.
“She has scored a remarkable victory [in the Lok Sabha elections], and Tamil Nadu has been concerned about Tamils living in Sri Lanka. So far, we have been working largely with Delhi, but we would like some sort of connection between New Delhi, the Tamil Nadu government and the Sri Lankan Tamils,” the TNA leader told The Hindu on Thursday.
Expressing the TNA’s desire to work with her, Mr. Sampanthan also briefed her on the letter he sent to Mr. Modi a few days ago.
Mr. Sampanthan said he would discuss the fisheries issue with Ms. Jayalalithaa in the interests of fishermen of both countries.
