DMK: Lanka Tamils’ welfare primary focus

A day after walking out of the UPA, the DMK on Wednesday asserted that it doesn’t intend to bring down the UPA government through a no-confidence vote as the welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamils was its primary focus. Interacting with reporters outside Parliament complex, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said, “It is not our issue (bringing down the government). We are for welfare of Tamils and taking action against war crimes committed against Tamils in Lanka.” When pressed further he said that his party was not shying away from bringing in a no-trust move. He said, “We are not shying away, but the issue which is at forefront must be addressed first. It is not about the government. We are not doing politics, we are trying to save our people.” The MP said, “Yesterday, we got the draft resolution which was totally different from the earlier resolution. There were many deviations and changes, which made the resolution diluted. When we expect the Indian government to make the resolution stronger, it has been diluted and the government is silent on Geneva conference.” Ruling out changing the stand of his party in the face of many parties declaring that foreign policy cannot be dictated, Mr Siva said, “Foreign policy must be devised for the welfare of the people and the interest of the people. Anyone can say anything but our policy will remain the same.” He added, “Foreign policy cannot make the country a silent spectator to the butchering of lakhs of people, genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.”