DMDK opposes Modi's invite to Rajapaksa to attend swearing-in

Says Rajapaksa was not offered an exclusive invitation

After MDMK, another BJP ally in Tamil Nadu Vijayakant-led DMDK today opposed Narendra Modi's invitation to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to attend his swearing-in on Monday was not acceptable to it and sought for a review of the same.

Vijayakant, however, said Rajapaksa was not offered an exclusive invitation and was part of the heads of SAARC nations who have been invited for Modi's swearing-in on May 26.

"Countries including Pakistan which is opposed to India have promised of their participation. If Rajapaksa alone had been invited DMDK would certainly not have attended the swearing-in ceremony," he said in a statement.

The actor-politician said the Prime Minister designate must be given a time of six months to make an assessment of his government.

"DMDK does not accept the invitation to Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa to participate in Mr Narendra Modi's swearing-in as Prime Minister," he said.

He recalled that DMDK, a former ally of AIADMK who later parted ways, gave the ruling party a time of six months before raising people's issues.

Similarly, Modi must be given time for six months and any criticism against him should be made after that, he said.

He said Modi had assured him in person that he will solve the Sri Lankan Tamils issue as well as the attacks on Indian fishermen by Lankan navy and assured to take these matters up with the BJP leader again.