Vaiko to protest against Rajapaksa's India visit

MDMK general secretary Vaiko Saturday said his party would stage a black flag demonstration May 26 in New Delhi to protest Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to India for Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

Vaiko, in a statement issued here, said at a time when everybody is expecting a dawn for Sri Lankan Tamils under Modi's rule, it is unavoidable to oppose Rajapaksa's entry into India.

Vaiko said with a "heavy heart" he was announcing that the MDMK would hold a black flag demonstration at Delhi's Jantar Mantar May 26.

While Vaiko would lead the black flag protest in Delhi, party cadres would hold a similar demonstration in front of the collectorate here.

Vaiko's MDMK fought the general election in alliance with the BJP in Tamil Nadu.