DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday gave a call for the revival of his party-backed Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) to gather support for the formation of a separate Eelam (homeland) for Sri Lankan Tamils.
Addressing a public meeting on the ‘travails of democracy in the Assembly’ at Kolathur, Mr Karunanidhi said, “I wish to revive the TESO and it should function as the DMK’s affiliate organisation.
It will have the services of party general secretary K. Anbazhagan and Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani. All those who support this cause are welcome to join it.”
Seeking the support of the Central government for the creation of a Tamil homeland, Mr Karunanidhi called upon his party cadres to gather public support for the move.
Stating that not creating Eelam was his unfulfilled desire, he said, “I want Tamils to live with their heads held high. That’s why I have been writing in favour of Tamil Eelam.”
He wanted to depart this world only after completing the groundwork for creation of Tamil Eelam. However, he said the movement would be conducted in a peaceful way.
Condemning the AIADMK for stifling democracy in the Assembly, he said the ruling party does not know how to treat and respect the Opposition.
He alleged that the Opposition members were neither allowed to speak in the Assembly nor clarify when charges are levelled against them. He reiterated that if his party came back to power, it would not act vindictively like the ruling AIADMK.
DMK treasurer and legislative party leader M.K. Stalin said his party members were not attending the Assembly as the party chief advised against it.
He also denied the land-grabbing charges made against him by chief minister J. Jayalalithaa in the Assembly.
Senior DMK leader Duraimurugan challenged the ruling party that they were ready to refute the charges made against them word for word if they were allowed to speak on the floor of the House.