Chennai/ New Delhi: The DMK which has 18 MPs in the Lok Sabha has withdrawn support to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government over the US-sponsored resolution on alleged war crimes by the Sri Lankan forces. Announcing the decision to pull out of the UPA, DMK chief M Karunanidhi said that the five ministers in the Union Ministry would put in their papers by Wednesday and give the letter of withdrawing support to President Pranab Mukherjee by Friday.
However, Karunanidhi also left the window for negotiations with the Congress open. "If the government passes a resolution in Parliament before Friday (March 21) condemning the Sri Lankan government, DMK is willing to reconsider its decision. The DMK ministers will resign today or tomorrow. The Centre is not doing enough for the Tamil cause," said Karunanidhi while announcing the pullout from the UPA in Chennai on Tuesday morning.
The DMK had reiterated its demand to the Central Government yesterday also. We are pulling out in of UPA completely and do not see any point in giving outside support, he said.
Blaming the Centre for not acting against Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes against Tamils, Karunanidhi said that Tamils had always been denied their rights in Sri Lanka. "In complete support of the revolution in Sri Lanka and the rights of the Tamils, we have fought for their rights. DMK salutes all those who have lost their lives and all those who are protesting against Sri Lankan war crimes. Sri Lanka has committed serious crimes. The DMK has always condemned these crimes and we have always worked for the Tamils," he added.
The DMK MPs who are a part of the Union Ministry are MK Alagiri (Union Minister for Fertilisers and Chemicals), SS Palanimanickam, D Napoleon, Jagathrakshakan and Gandhiselvan. The last four are Ministers of State.
The government is walking a tightrope after the DMK pulled out of the UPA. There are several important bills pending and the Centre is worried that India-Sri Lanka ties will be hit if the government takes a strong stand on the resolution.
However, the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal (Secular) have decided to provide outside support to the ruling coalition, giving it the necessary cushion.
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