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Vaiko protests Rajapaksa attending Modi's oath-taking

by IBNS 26 May 2014, 12:25 pm

New Delhi, May 26 (IBNS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) supremo Vaiko on Monday led a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to protest against Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa's arrival in the country for attending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

Vaiko on Friday met Modi to convey his displeasure at the latter inviting Rajapaksa to his swearing-in ceremony in New Delhion Monday.

After a 25-minute meeting, Vaiko had told reporters: "I gave Modi the documents against Rajapaksa. Modi heard what I had to say. Arun Jaitley and Amit Shah were also present at the meeting. Jaitley told me that this is not just a Tamil but a national issue."

Vaiko was upset at Modi for inviting Rajapaksa to his swearing-in ceremony.

"At this juncture if Rajapaksa is invited, whose hands are stained with the blood of Tamils, that will be a bolt from the blue for the people of Tamil Nadu. I have made my reservation clear. I am waiting what decision Narendra Modi and the NDA is going to take," Vaiko was quoted as saying by CNN-IBN.

Vaiko also reportedly wrote to Modi expressing his displeasure at the move.

BJP President Rajnath Singh invited Vaiko to discuss the matter.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Thursday criticized Modi for inviting Rajapaksa.

"Modi has the blessings and support of the people of India. He should have respected Tamil sentiments and avoided inviting the Lanka President to his oath-taking ceremony," said DMK leader T. K. S. Elangovan.

Pertinently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) supremo J Jayalalithaa decided to skip Modi's oath-taking ceremony, said reports on Thursday.

AIADMK sources said Jayalalithaa took the decision a day after Modi invited Rajapaksa to his swearing-in.