The Communist Party of India, along with the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, on Tuesday sought to corner the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the Rajya Sabha, asking it to take a stand on an amendment on the Sri Lankan Tamils' issue.
The parliamentary manoeuvre — insisting on recording a vote — came after these two parties expressed dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that the government was inclined to vote in favour of the resolution, promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka, at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.
When the amendment moved by D. Raja (CPI) came up for vote, the DMK under its leader Tiruchi Siva made attempts in vain to avoid a division of votes even as B.S. Gnanadesikan (Congress) said Dr. Singh's assurance in the Lok Sabha was welcomed by all political parties in Tamil Nadu.
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The CPI amendment regretted that the President's address to Parliament did not mention the need for a political solution to the Tamils' problems in Sri Lanka, and the issue of violation of human rights and war crimes against the Tamils, particularly in the last phase of the war in 2009. Nor did it take serious note of the continued attack on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and the need to review the Kachatheevu agreement.
However, just before recording of votes, Mr. Siva along with party MP Kanimozhi stepped out of the House, which rejected the amendment 81 to 9.
Earlier, Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan asked Dr. Maitreyan not to wave a copy of a compact disc which, the member said, contained video of “war crimes” and the draft text at the UNHRC.
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The Prime Minister, in his reply to the motion of thanks to the President's address, reiterated his government's stand as articulated in the Lok Sabha on Monday. He said India hoped to advance its objective of achieving a future for Tamils in Sri Lanka “that is marked by equality, dignity, justice and self-respect.”