MDMK rally off, Centre breathes easy

CHENNAI, JUNE 4: The MDMK on Saturday called off its proposed rally here on June 5 in support of the struggle of Sri Lankan Tamils, saying...

CHENNAI, JUNE 4: The MDMK on Saturday called off its proposed rally here on June 5 in support of the struggle of Sri Lankan Tamils, saying it was being postponed “in deference to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s appeal to avoid problematic issues”.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko, an active supporter of the LTTE’s goal of establishing a separate homeland for ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka, said in a statement here that the rally was being “postponed” in the light of Karunanidhi’s appeal on the eve of his birthday. He did not specify any future date for the rally.

The MDMK’s move saves the ruling BJP at the Centre and the DMK in the state, considerable embarrassment, as a pro-Eelam rally in the state capital by a constituent of the ruling National Democratic Alliance at the Centre might have affected the NDA’s image.

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Karunanidhi had yesterday made an indirect appeal to the MDMK, saying it would be better if “problematic issues” were avoided.

The MDMK and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), both NDA constituents, are under severe criticism from several quarters for their open espousal of the `Tamil Eelam’ plank despite the Centre making it clear that nothing should be done to undermine the island nation’s unity.

In his statement, Vaiko said the rally was for raising a voice in support of `Eelam Tamils’, who had been subjected to “genocidal attack” by the Sri Lankan troops and were suffering hardships.

Meanwhile, the state BJPsaid it was against any move that would embarrass the Centre and state governments on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.