After a prolonged showdown over portfolios with the DMK just ended, it’s the turn of another UPA ally, MDMK chief Vaiko, to express his discontent. And this time in the eye of the storm is PM Manmohan Singh’s decision to appoint J.N. Dixit as the National Security Advisor.To register his apprehension, Vaiko met the PM and External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh earlier this week. His fears stem from the fact that Dixit was the High Commissioner in Sri Lanka when the Rajiv Gandhi-Jayawardene accord was signed. Subsequent to this, the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was sent to Jaffna in 1987. Vaiko has often expressed reservations about Dixit’s role during this period when the IPKF was stationed in Sri Lanka.When contacted, Vaiko told The Indian Express: ‘‘I did meet them but I must also tell you that I’m prepared to forget the past and hope for a better future. I have requested the PM that India should participate in the peace talks with Norway and ensure dignity and peace to all Tamils.’’On the question whether his reservations meant any bad blood between allies, he said: ‘‘There are no reservations and I am prepared to give full support to the PM’s efforts.’’ Thanks to Vaiko’s insistence, a specific paragraph on India-Sri Lanka relations was inserted in the Common Minimum Programme.
