Modi invite to Mahinda sparks off protests

BJP's prime minister designate Narendra Modi's move to invite the heads of SAARC states, including Sri Lanka's Mahinda Rajapaksa to his swearing-in, is sparking off war of words.

Political parties from Tamil Nadu are up in arms against in the invitation to Rajapaksa, who is seen as a butcher of Sri Lankan Tamils.

While Rajapaksa thanked Modi for the invitation. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom have confirmed that they will attend the ceremony in New Delhi on Monday.

NDA partner and MDMK leader Vaiko expressed his dissatisfaction over the invitation. He met BJP president Rajnath Singh over the issue.

"When Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the prime minister he did not invite the Sri Lankan president for the swearing-in ceremony. Why is he being invited now?" Vaiko asked.

AIADMK has also strongly opposed the move to invite Mahinda Rajapaksa. DMK's octagenarian chief M Karunanidhi too criticised Narendra Modi's invitation to Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa for his swearing in.

Rajapaksa is being internationally criticised for the alleged excesses during the LTTE war. Rights activists and Tamil groups have been lambasting him for his alleged rights violations.

Raka@Sakshipost