The Centre told the Madras High Court that it would not allow the organisers, including DMK, to use the word 'Eelam' in the heading of the international conference, while the state government said it may deny permission for holding the event as the chosen venue was not big enough to accomodate the number of people expected to attend it.
As two PILs against holding the TESO conference came up for hearing before a division bench of the high court comprising Justices Elipe Dharma Rao and M Venugopal, the Centre in a communication said it had "no objection from a political angle for the proposed international conference with foreign participants with the provision that 'eelam' be dropped from the title of the conference and subject to clearance by the Ministry of Home Affairs and other competent authorities".
State Advocate General A Navaneethakrishnan said police permission may be denied as the YMCA ground was located near a government hospital, attended by over 3000 out-patients daily.
Besides, according to DMK party spokesman Murasoli, over one lakh people were expected to attend the meet with about 1250 vehicles which may result in traffic diversions in that area, bringing life to a standstill in the city.
"Undoubtedly, it would cause inconvenience not only to the patients but also the general public," he said.
P Wilson, representing the conference organisers, said the publicity for the event was first issued in July but the present petitions were filed only on August seven, just five days before commencement of the conference. The ground was continuously being used for several high-profile events.
Pointing out that Section 41 of the Tamil Nadu City Police Act conferred powers on the City Commissioner of police to regulate assemblies, meetings and processions in public places, the Bench directed the police chief to pass a detailed order on the representation submitted by the conference organisers and communicate the decision to them immediately.
A once defunct organisation founded by him, TESO was revived by Karunanidhi recently and its first meet was scheduled here for Sunday with scores of leaders besides some Sri Lankan Tamil leaders expected to participate in it.
