Karunanidhi keen on Rajapakse standing trial

Chennai, April 25: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today (April 25) hinted that he was in favour of making Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rakapakse stand trial for alleged war crimes during the peak of the conflict between the Lankan Army and the LTTE in the island nation.

"I don't differ with him on this matter. But it is important on how to and where to raise it. I request the media not to report that I differ with Ramadoss on this matter," he said when asked about PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss making such a demand. PMK is an ally of the DMK.

Karunanidhi's comments come close on the heels of arch rival and AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa raising the demand last week, urging the Indian Government to take "immediate steps" to ensure Rajapakse stands trial, especially in the wake of a UN report indicting the Sri Lankan armed forces for alleged war crimes in the last phase of the war.

Asked about the "favourable stand" taken by Centre vis-a-vis Rajapakse, he said such issues had to be discussed at the international level and the conditions therein.

"Issues concerning India's national security and good ties cannot be decided by your questions and my replies," he said.

Insisting it was DMK which always supported the cause of Lankan Tamils, he said without naming Jayalalithaa, "it is well-known who passed a resolution in the Assembly, demanding arrest and deportation of (slain) LTTE leader V Prabakaran."

He said the AIADMK sometimes criticises Sri Lankan government and speaks in their support at other times.

Karunanidhi also recalled the statement of Jayalalithaa, saying casualties are common in a conflict.

Taking exception to AIADMK's allegation that the DMK government was trying to destroy files under the guise of shifting departments to the new Secretariat complex, he charged the opposition party with spreading falsehood.

"The government is in the process of initiating legal steps in this regard," he added.

He also criticised the opposition party for calling his government ''caretaker.''

"The government allowed by the Governor to ensure smooth administration during the period between declaration of results and formation of a new government is called a caretaker government. Even a layman is aware of this," he said.

PTI