Karuna warns UPA, says snap ties with Lanka

New Delhi: The Sri Lankan crisis is playing out in Tamil Nadu political arena much to the DMK's discomfort.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has now written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi asking the Centre to snap relations with Sri Lanka, if India's appeal for ceasefire is not met.

Karunanidhi has been facing criticism by Tamil nationalist parties for taking a soft approach to the Lankan attacks on Tamils there.

His archrival, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, a known LTTE baiter, had recently claimed the Centre and DMK had failed to stop genocide in Sri Lanka. Her allies MDMK and PMK are vocal supporters of the Tamil cause.

Speaking on civilian casualties in the ongoing military action, Karunanidhi said, "India should snap all ties with Sri Lanka, including diplomatic, if a ceasefire is not announced by the Sri Lankan government by tonight."

Earlier addressing a rally, Karunanidhi had said, "Tamils should be given equal rights and powers in the affairs of Sri Lanka. History will not forgive Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, if he ill treats Tamils."

"Though the situation might have differed now, Ms Sonia Gandhi should emulate Indira Gandhi," he added in an obvious reference to the Indian Government dropping food packets in the affected areas in the early eighties.

He appealed to Sonia to take "early steps" to prevail upon the Sri Lankan Government to stop its offensive in northern parts of the island.

"Please take early steps to stop the war. Respect our sentiments," he had said.