PM speaks to Karuna, rivals dub TN CM's fast as farce

Chennai: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who is on an indefinite fast in support of his demand for immediate ceasefire in the Sri Lankan army's offensive against the LTTE.

Union Minister G K Vasan, who was at the fast site told reporters that the Prime Minister spoke to the DMK chief over phone.

“The UPA is pressing for a ceasefire in Sri Lanka. We are trying our best,” Vasan said without elaborating.

Karunanidhi suddenly went on a fast this morning, stating that it was his sacrifice on behalf of all Tamils,”

Meanwhile, in Madurai, on Monday, the state unit of the Janata Dal (Secular) described as a 'one act play,' chief Minister M Karunanidhi's six hour fast, demanding cessation of hostilities in Sri Lanka.

“It is a fast observed very late. It will not in anyway lessen the anger of the people against Congress and DMK as the fast has been observed with the Lok Sabha election in mind,” state General Secretary K John Moses said in a statement.

Terming the cessation of hostilities as an eyewash, he said India should provide proper food shelter and clothing to the affected Eelam Tamils.

He demanded to know whether Karunanidhi would give an assurance that the hostilities against Sri Lankan Tamils would be permanently stopped.

Moses said it was certain that that the Congress-DMK combine would be defeated in the polls. The fast would not divert the attention of the people, who have strong feelings for the sufferings of Lankan Tamils, he said.

Also, in Udhagamandalam in Tamil Nadu, MDMK leader Vaiko called Karuna’s fast as a drama. Terming the fast by DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Sri Lankan Tamils issue as a political drama, MDMK leader Vaiko said it is an attempt to 'hoodwink' Tamils.

Talking to reporters here, Vaiko said the fast was the climax of the drama to hoodwink the Tamil people.

The main reason for this 'gimmick' is that DMK is sure that people of Tamil Nadu have decided to vote against Congress-DMK combine and bound to lose the elections, he said.