BJP backs Karunanidhi on Malaysian Tamils' issue

Kochi, Dec 1 (UNI) Backing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on the Malaysian Tamils' issue, senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu today said there was nothing wrong in the DMK supremo expressing concern about the people of Indian origin there and this did not amount to an interference in that country's internal affairs.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Naidu said it was not fair to use expressions like ''lay off'' (as reportedly said by a Malaysian minister) to Mr Karunanidhi.

''This is not an interference in its (Malaysia's) internal affairs. It is the duty of leaders here to express concern about the condition of the people of Indian origin and approach the appropriate authorities on this,'' he added.

According to the BJP leader, Indians were facing problems in the Gulf countries also. ''Recently, a lot of the people have returned from the Gulf to Andhra Pradesh. It has become a big crisis,'' he added.

UNI