DMK will not support decision to allow FDI in retail: Karuna

Breaking his silence on FDI in multi-brand retail, DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Monday said his party will not support the Centre's decision to allow foreign investment in the sector.

"We are not in favour of the decision to allow FDI (in multi-brand retail)," he told reporters in Chennai on Monday responding to a query on what was the DMK's stand on the FDI issue.

DMK, a key constituent of the ruling UPA government, had recently refused to clarify its stand on the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail.

"Small and medium retail traders in Tamil Nadu are apprehensive that Foreign Direct Investment would greatly affect them. We would discuss and take a decision on this (FDI) keeping their interest in mind," Karunanidhi had said last week.

To a query on whether DMK will support the Centre if it takes a stand to put pressure on the UN (in taking a referendum) on the 'Eelam Tamils issue', Karunanidhi said, "we will continue to press the Centre to support us (on the issue)".

Recently, Karunanidhi had demanded that India should ask the United Nations to undertake a public vote on the Eelam Tamils issue.

"DMK will be supportive to the Centre if it takes a stand to put pressure on the UN (in taking a referendum)," Karunanidhi had said.

To a query on submitting the TESO resolutions to the UN and World Human Rights Commission, Karunanidhi said, "We are hopeful that they (the organisations) will take action at the right time. On the basis of that, we have passed our second resolution today at the TESO meeting," he said.

At the TESO meeting held on Monday, a resolution was adopted to seek support of the 47 member-countries of World Human Rights Commission on the issue.

The resolution also criticised Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government on reports that UN officials were asked to leave Sri Lanka in May, 2009 when the 'Eelam war' was on.

On whether TESO Conference will be conducted in future, Karunanidhi said, "if required TESO Conference first, second and third edition will be conducted in future."

"We will continue to urge the Centre to be supportive for the welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamils," he said.

DMK Treasurer M K Stalin and senior leader T R Baalu had recently submitted to the United Nations the party-backed TESO resolutions seeking redress of problems faced by Lankan Tamils in that country.

Karunanidhi had earlier announced that Stalin and Baalu would hand over the Tamil Eelam Supporters' Organisation (TESO) resolutions passed during its conference in Chennai in August to the UN.