DMK to support resolution over boycott of CHOGM in TN Assembly

Party chief M Karunanidhi says it is the party's duty to support the resolution

Expressing displeasure that the Centre had ignored calls for India's total boycott of the Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka, DMK today said it would support any resolution in the special Tamil Nadu Assembly session if it was beneficial for the welfare of Tamils.

"If the resolution is brought for the welfare of Tamils, if the resolution is brought in a way to lend hands to Tamils, who are now orphans and suffering people, we consider it is our duty to support the resolution," DMK President M Karunanidhi told reporters here.

He was responding to a question whether his party would extend its support even if the resolution takes a strong stand against the UPA Government.

He, however, said DMK's view was that supporting the resolution without any other opinion would alone express the unity of people in Tamil Nadu.

He was speaking after chairing a meeting of party MLAs to decide its stand to be taken at the emergent session of the assembly convened for this evening in the backdrop of raging protests over India's participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Karunanidhi said DMK would support if any resolution was brought against External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid's participation in CHOGM, noting that the House had earlier passed a resolution demanding a "complete boycott."

Asked whether his party's support to the Centre was issue-based, he said, "Support is not for Congress. (It is) issue-based support."

"No one would deliberately criticise the Centre. Centre has not listened to our opinion that India should boycott Commonwealth meeting, even after having pointed out the hardships our Lankan brothers are facing in Sri Lanka. We are in a position to express our displeasure," he said.