DMK to act against its MPs who signed letter to Obama

DMK chief M. Karunanidhi Thursday said the party would act against any of its parliament members found to have signed a letter to US President Barack Obama seeking denial of US visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

In a statement issued here, Karunanidhi said: "The party does not accept the signing of such letters by its members of parliament (MP). Though the party MPs have said they have not signed any letter addressed to the US president, action will be taken against them if they have indeed signed."

He said the DMK will not interfere in the central government's foreign policy and its internal matters.

Karunanidhi's statement comes in the wake of news reports that the letter allegedly sent to the US president by several members of parliament included the signature of DMK's K.P. Ramalingam.

The letter urged US President Barack Obama to refuse Modi a visa to the US, on account of his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Interestingly, the DMK, which was part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the centre, pulled out from the coalition March last, voicing dismay over India's stance on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Karunanidhi then said the UPA government had not only refused to consider the DMK's views on the US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, but had quietly watered it down.