Even as DMK chief M. Karunanidhi announced his decision to withdraw support to it on the Lankan Tamils issue, the government today put up a brave face, insisting that there was no threat to its stability.
At the same time, the government sought to molify Karunanidhi, saying his “statement deserves all respect” and consultations have been started with political parties on DMK’s demand that Parliament should adopt a resolution on human rights violations in Sri Lanka.
“Let me assure everyone that the stability of the government and the continuation of the government are not an issue. The government is absolutely stable and enjoys majority in the Lok Sabha,” finance minister P. Chidambaram told reporters outside Parliament.
His statement came hours after Karunanidhi announced that DMK will pull out of the government over the Sri Lanka Tamils issue. DMK has 18 members in Lok Sabha and UPA with the support of DMK has 303 MPs in the 543-member House.
On the issue of a resolution moved at the UNHCR against Sri Lanka which DMK wants India to support, he said that the government is examining the final draft which reached here late last night. Chidambaram, who along with defence minister A.K. Antony and health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had met Karunanidhi yesterday, said the government is also examining whether amendments can be moved to that draft to strengthen that resolution as demanded by DMK.
“As far as the resolution in the UNHCR is concerned, we are examining the final draft that came to us late last night and whether amendments can be moved to that draft to strengthen that resolution,” he said. “As far as DMK’s request for Parliament to adopt a resolution is considered, it is evident that we would have to consult all political parties. Consultations have begun on the sugggestion that Parliament should adopt a resolution,” Chidambaram said.