Karunanidhi meets Sonia, Arjun

New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today discussed the Sri Lankan issue with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Mr Karunanidhi, who was here for talks with his Kerala counterpart V S Achuthanandan on the vexed Mullaperiyar issue, called on Ms Gandhi at her residence.

Both leaders discussed the present situation on the island and the influx of Tamil refugees into India, an official release here said.

The details disclosed by National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shivsankar Menon when they met Mr Karunanidhi in Chennai recently also figured in the talks.

Union Communication and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran was present, the release added.

The Chief Minister also met Union Human Resources Minister Arjun Singh and urged him to expedite steps for implementation of 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes in higher educational institutions.

Mr Singh assured Mr Karunanidhi that he would take necessary steps for the speedy implementation of 27 per cent quota for OBCs, an official release here said.

Mr Karunanidhi requested the HRD Minister to institute awards in the names of Tamil saint-poets Thiruvalluvar and Tholkappiar following the declaration of Tamil as a classical language.

He also urged Mr Singh to set up a research centre on Tamil in Chennai, the release added.

UNI SN PA KN1754