DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan today said Narendra Modi could have "avoided" inviting Mr Rajapaksa. (File photo)
Chennai:
After BJP ally MDMK expressed "unexplainable grief" over Narendra Modi's invitation to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, it was the DMK's turn to critisize the move.
The DMK today said Narendra Modi could have "avoided" inviting Mr Rajapaksa, saying the BJP leader should "understand the feelings" of people of Tamil Nadu.
The fact that the Sri Lankan leader was invited as part of BJP's decision to invite all SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations failed to cut ice with the Karunanidhi-led DMK, with party spokesperson and organising secretary TKS Elangovan insisting that people in the state were "charged with anger" against Colombo for alleged human rights violations on the ethnic minority there. (BJP's Tamil Nadu Ally MDMK Opposes Lankan President's Presence at Modi Swearing-in)
"Rajapaksa is part of SAARC union, so they might have sent the invitation. But the Prime Minister (PM designate Modi) should also understand the feelings of people of Tamil Nadu," the senior DMK leader said.
He added that Tamils in the island nation were "attacked and human rights violations" against them were happening and most countries had criticised such activities. (Will Nawaz Sharif Attend Narendra Modi's Swearing-in? Decision Later Today)
"People of Tamil Nadu are charged with anger. He (Modi) could have avoided (inviting Rajapaksa)," he said.
Meanwhile, other major NDA constituents in the state - the DMDK and PMK - are yet to make their stand official on this matter.
The DMK today said Narendra Modi could have "avoided" inviting Mr Rajapaksa, saying the BJP leader should "understand the feelings" of people of Tamil Nadu.
The fact that the Sri Lankan leader was invited as part of BJP's decision to invite all SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations failed to cut ice with the Karunanidhi-led DMK, with party spokesperson and organising secretary TKS Elangovan insisting that people in the state were "charged with anger" against Colombo for alleged human rights violations on the ethnic minority there. (BJP's Tamil Nadu Ally MDMK Opposes Lankan President's Presence at Modi Swearing-in)
"Rajapaksa is part of SAARC union, so they might have sent the invitation. But the Prime Minister (PM designate Modi) should also understand the feelings of people of Tamil Nadu," the senior DMK leader said.
He added that Tamils in the island nation were "attacked and human rights violations" against them were happening and most countries had criticised such activities. (Will Nawaz Sharif Attend Narendra Modi's Swearing-in? Decision Later Today)
"People of Tamil Nadu are charged with anger. He (Modi) could have avoided (inviting Rajapaksa)," he said.
Meanwhile, other major NDA constituents in the state - the DMDK and PMK - are yet to make their stand official on this matter.
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