DMK to meet C’wealth reps over Lanka

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Saturday said its MPs and members of pro-Tamil TESO backed by it will meet envoys of Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group of countries, scheduled to meet at London on April 26, to demand that the CHOGM should be shifted from Sri Lanka.

DMK, which has been opposing Sri Lanka as the venue for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) slated for November, said in a statement that its representatives will call on the CMAG members to press their demand.

“I insist that the demand not to hold (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka should be discussed in detail and a decision is taken. DMK MPs and TESO members will meet envoys of member countries of CMAG and explain in detail that the meeting should not be held in Sri Lanka,” DMK chief M Karunanidhi said.

The 88-year-old leader recalled his party Executive had adopted a resolution in this regard on March 25.

The DMK, which walked out of the UPA coalition over the Lankan Tamils issue last month, had in the Executive also demanded that India boycott the meeting in case it was held in the island nation.

Members of Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation (TESO), a once defunct organisation revived last year by Karunanidhi, include his son M K Stalin and Viduthalai Chiruthaaigal Katchi founder-leader and Lok Sabha MP, Thol. Thirumavalavan, among others.