'We can't forgive LTTE for killing Rajiv Gandhi'

Chennai, Apr 20: In a total reversal of stance, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Monday, Apr 20 has said that he cannot forget that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was behind former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's death.

Speaking to reporters, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo said that he never disagreed on the fact that LTTE was a terrorist outfit. He said that the LTTE did not start as a terrorist group, but became one over time.

"Prabhakaran was a freedom fighter who later turned into a terrorist, my statement was misinterpreted," said Karunanidhi.

Clarifying his statement he said that he only expressed concern for the Tamil cause in Sri Lanka and never denied the fact that LTTE was a terror group.

He added, "We cannot forgive the LTTE for killing Rajiv Gandhi...Sriperumbudur cannot be forgotten."

Earlier, in an exclusive interview with NDTV Karunanidhi had said that LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was a good friend of his. He added that Prabhakaran himself was not a terrorist and LTTE not a terror group. However, if few people in the group indulged in terrorism it was not Prabhakaran's fault.

ANI