Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who will be among the world leaders to watch Narendra Modi's swearing in as Prime Minister on Monday, has taken a big step towards reconciliation in his own country and defusing anger among Indian Tamil parties over his visit. He has invited the Chief Minister of Lanka's Tamil provinces to join his delegation to India.
CV Wigneswaran, the Chief Minister of Northern Provinces, is yet to confirm his participation, but Sri Lankan officials say they are "hopeful."
MDMK chief Vaiko today met BJP president Rajnath Singh and asked him to speak to Mr Modi and "avoid" Mr Rajapaksa's presence at the oath ceremony, which, he said, would hurt the feelings of the Tamil people.
The invite to the Lankan president has "deeply upset the people of Tamil Nadu and wounded their sentiments," she said, adding, "Particularly, with regard to the relationship of the new Central Government with the Government of Tamil Nadu, it would have been better if this ill-advised move had been avoided." (On Narendra Modi's Guest List 2500 People, SAARC Leaders)
Ms Jayalalithaa, who is said to share a good rapport with Mr Modi, has not clarified whether she will attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Most political parties in Tamil Nadu accuse Mr Rajapaksa of presiding over the killing of civilians in the final stages of the war against the Tamil separatist outfit LTTE. It is a political minefield in Tamil Nadu, where assembly elections are due in 2016.
CV Wigneswaran, the Chief Minister of Northern Provinces, is yet to confirm his participation, but Sri Lankan officials say they are "hopeful."
MDMK chief Vaiko today met BJP president Rajnath Singh and asked him to speak to Mr Modi and "avoid" Mr Rajapaksa's presence at the oath ceremony, which, he said, would hurt the feelings of the Tamil people.
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The invite to the Lankan president has "deeply upset the people of Tamil Nadu and wounded their sentiments," she said, adding, "Particularly, with regard to the relationship of the new Central Government with the Government of Tamil Nadu, it would have been better if this ill-advised move had been avoided." (On Narendra Modi's Guest List 2500 People, SAARC Leaders)
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Ms Jayalalithaa, who is said to share a good rapport with Mr Modi, has not clarified whether she will attend the swearing-in ceremony.
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Most political parties in Tamil Nadu accuse Mr Rajapaksa of presiding over the killing of civilians in the final stages of the war against the Tamil separatist outfit LTTE. It is a political minefield in Tamil Nadu, where assembly elections are due in 2016.
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