Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan has urged the Centre to pressure the Sri Lankan government to free the five Tamil Nadu fishermen awarded the death sentence by a Colombo court.
Alleging a political motive behind the sentence, he told reporters here that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was trying to spread insecurity among the Tamils because of the fears of LTTE resurgence.
Mr. Thirumavalavan said G.K. Vasan’s decision to quit the Congress and float a new party was welcome. He said most of the national parties did not understand the sentiments of their regional units. There would be no major political realignment in Tamil Nadu because of Mr. Vasan’s exit from the Congress.
He alleged that the Puducherry government was diverting funds earmarked for the Special Component Plan to other departments.