Karunanidhi withdraws pullout threat from Govt
2008-10-26 23:41:19

Chennai, October 26 (Agencies): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has assured he would not precipitate a crisis for UPA Government over Sri Lankan Tamils issue as the Centre apprised him of steps being taken by Colombo to ensure safety of Tamil civilans in the conflict areas.

"The Chief Minister assured me that he will not precipitate any crisis for the UPA Government," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters after emerging from a meeting with Karunanidhi.

The assurance by Karunanidhi to Mukherjee after UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi spoke to the Chief Minister, assumed significance as DMK and some other Tamil Nadu parties had issued an ultimatum that all MPs from the state would resign if the Centre did not take steps to ensure a ceasefire in Sri Lanka's embattled north by October 29.

DMK and some of its allies have 24 members in Lok Sabha out of a total of 39 members from the state to the House.

He also said that he pointed out to the Chief Minister that a military solution will not resolve the problems of the Tamils in the north

Mukherjee said India will send around 800 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka for the affected civilians in the north of the island.

"The Sri Lankan Government has assured India that it will provide humanitarian aid to the displaced people in the country through International Red Cross, Government of India and UN agencies," he said.

Tamil Nadu Government will also mobilise relief material to affected Tamil civilians in the northern part of the island.