BJP criticises Karunanidhi's tribute to LTTE insurgent

New Delhi, Nov 5: The BJP today strongly criticised DMK Chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's poetic tribute to LTTE's political wing head Thamilselvan killed recently in an Sri Lankan Air Force attack and wondered why the Congress was ''quiet'' on the issue.

Recalling Mr Karunanidhi's earlier remark against Lord Rama, the party termed as ''dangerous'' his poetic tribute to the slain LTTE insurgent. ''He is the Chief Minister of a state who is eulogising a dreaded extremist group. It deserves to be condemned,'' it said.

The BJP also demanded that the Congress make its stand clear on the issue. BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters: ''The DMK is an ally in the UPA government and three DMK Ministers are in the Union Cabinet.'' However, the Congress led-UPA government was keeping ''stoic silence'' over Mr Karunanidhi's ''singing praises'' for the slain insurgent, he said adding the stance was not only disturbing but shocking also.

Mr Rudy alleged the Congress was ready to compromise with the DMK, which praised the insurgent of the organisation responsible for the killing of Rajiv Gandhi, for clinging to power at the Centre at all costs.

''Moreover, the inaction of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was obvious indication to save the government,'' he added.

UNI