Leave decision on resignation to respective parties:CPI(M)

Chennai, Oct 20 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) today said the question of resignation of MPs on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, should be left to the respective political parties.

CPI(M) state unit secretary N Varadarajan, giving details of the resolutions adopted at the state executive meeting, said the party had already made this stand clear at the all-party meeting convened by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi on October 14.

The all-party meeting had adopted a resolution that if the Centre failed to prevail upon Sri Lanka to declare ceasefire by October 28, MPs from Tamil Nadu would enmasse resign.

So far, all the 20 DMK MPs, including seven union ministers and four Rajya Sabha members submitted their resignation letters to Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi.

Mr Varadarajan said India should exert diplomatic level pressure on Sri Lanka, to immediately stop the military operation and find a negotiated settlement to the ethnic crisis in that country.

The Centre should also ensure protection to the Tamils in the island nation and distribution of relief materials, through international organisations like the Red Cross Society.

He said CPI(M) partymen would, however, take part in tomorrow's human chain rally, being organised in protest against the genocide of Sri Lankan Tamils.

Mr Varadarajan said the CPI(M) did not subscribe to the stand taken by some of the political parties in the state that separate Tamil Eelam was the only solution to the ethnic crisis.

The party was of the view that the LTTE and Sri Lankan government should lay down arms and resume talks to find a negotiated settlement to the crisis, he said.

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