Parties oppose House resolution

New Delhi, March 20: The all-party meeting convened by Centre to explore the possibility of Parliament adopting a resolution against Sri Lanka on Wednesday saw most parties opposing such a move, leaving no scope for it.

At the 90-minute meeting, only DMK supported the idea of bringing a resolution. Sources said as most of the parties were not in favour, the idea is as good as given up.

Samajwadi Party, which supports the government from outside, said, “We are with Lankan Tamils but there is no need for a resolution by Parliament as Lanka is the only country which stood with us during the 1962 China war.

“We have recently rejected Pakistan parliament resolution on Afzal Guru. How can we do the same to a friendly neighbour. At the UNHCR, India should do what is in the national interest and interest of Tamils of Lanka,” said SP leader Rewati Raman Singh.

JD(U) Sharad Yadav also echoed similar views at the meeting where he is understood to have questioned the logic of adopting a resolution against a sovereign nation.

He is believed to have told the meeting that if India has to provide relief to Sri Lankan Tamils, it should do so without antagonising the host country, sources said.

Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj questioned why all parties had been called for the meeting to discuss an issue which strictly is between the government and DMK. DMK, which withdrew from the government on Wednesday, had demanded that government should get a resolution passed by Parliament against Lanka.