Fearing a debacle in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections following allegations against the Centre that it had provided military support to the Sri Lankan government in its war against the LTTE, the Congress today sought the support of the PMK, which has openly declared its support to Tigers.
Congress Legislature Party leader D Sudarsanam today met PMK founder S Ramadoss and pleaded with him to support the Congress in the next Parliament elections, while receiving suggestions from the PMK leader on measures to be taken for protecting Sri Lankan Tamils.
However, Ramadoss refused to accept the Centre’s condition that the LTTE should declare its willingness to lay down arms.
Speaking to reporters, Ramadoss demanded that the Centre should not stop with mere appeals to the island government to stop the war. It should firmly insist on a ceasefire, he asserted.
The PMK leader, who is a member of the Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement, along with MDMK leader Vaiko, also asked the Centre to raise the Sri Lankan Tamils issue at the UN. “These things should be done within two days”, he said.
Earlier, Congress leader Sudarsanam said the PMK was already in the UPA and the Congress wanted the alliance to continue.
The Congress party had worked for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils in the past, he said and hoped that people in Tamil Nadu would not display anti-Congress sentiments in the next elections.
Source: The Tribune LS polls: Cong seeks PMK support in TN
