Congress won't toe Karunanidhi line on Tamil Eelam

Chennai: A day after the DMK announced the date for the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) conference in Chennai on August 12, its key ally Congress state unit president B S Gnanadesikan on Sunday said that his party will not support the demand for Eelam. Speaking to reporters at party headquarters Satyamurthy Bhavan after participating in the 110th birth anniversary celebrations of Kamaraj, Gnanadesikan said that Lankan Tamils as of now needed rehabilitation and resettlement for a fresh lease of life.

“Lankan Tamils themselves are not demanding a separate Eelam. They require houses and basic facilities such as water, medical help and education. The Indian government has been working to ensure their welfare and is giving them financial assistance,” he said.

Earlier, after paying tribute to Kamaraj, former TNCC president M Krishnasamy and former MLA S Peter Alphonse, rued that factional feud is increasing in the party. “If this continues, we cannot bring Kamaraj rule in Tamil Nadu. The time has now come to shun group politics to strengthen the party,” said Alphonse.

The statement came a day after the DMK announced the date for the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation conference.

Former Union Minister EVKS Elangovan said that factionalism was common in all political parties. Party leaders paid floral tributes to Kamaraj’s portrait and garlanded his statues at the Marina beach front, Kamarajar Illam at T Nagar and Pallavan Salai. Sewing machines and tricycles were given to the poor by the Kamaraj, Mooppanar, Vasan Trust and Chellappandian Trust.

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