No change in AIADMK stand towards LTTE: Panneerselvam

Chennai, Feb 16 (UNI) The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) today made it clear that there was no change in its stand in opposing the outlawed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the post-Rajiv (assassination) era.

Reacting to DMK platform speaker Vetrikondan's demand for the arrest of party Supremo J Jayalalithaa for having supported the LTTE and its leader V Prabakaran, AIADMK Treasurer O Panneerselvam, in a statement here, said the AIADMK has changed its stand towards the LTTE after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and there was no change in it.

Dismissing the demand as childish, he said not only Ms Jayalalithaa, but a galaxy of leaders, including former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and late Chief Minister M G Ramachandran had supported the LTTE, but that was before the assassination of Mr Gandhi.

After Mr Gandhi was assassinated by the LTTE in Tamil Nadu, the entire scenario was changed. Ms Jayalalithaa started an aversion to the militant outfit and fought vehemently to slap a ban on the organisation.

She also launched an offensive against the militant organisation and its leader, Mr Panneerselvam said.

He said Ms Jayalalithaa and the AIADMK had then taken a stand that support to the proscribed LTTE in any form was an offence.

Eversince the assassination of Mr Gandhi on May 21, 1991, Ms Jayalalithaa was firm in opposing the LTTE, he added.

Like Mr Vetrikondan, DMK president and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Information Minsiter Parithi Ilamvazhuthi also repeatedly recalling the support offered by Ms Jayalalithaa to the LTTE in the ''pre-Rajiv (assassination) era, he said and wanted the people of the state to pardon them.

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