The MDMK on Saturday fashioned its manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in tune with the ‘expressed wishes’ of the BJP by toning down its stand on Sethusamudram project and calling for a review of the Constitution. Of course, the party harped on conducting a referendum on a separate Eelam for Sri Lankan Tamils while promising steps to rechristen the country ‘United States of India’, instead of calling it Union of India.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko was known for vociferously supporting the implementation of the Sethusamudram project. Ahead of talks with the BJP, he changed tack saying the project needs to be reconsidered on environmental grounds. Now, the MDMK manifesto says the project should be implemented in the alternative route, after addressing concerns expressed by fishermen that the project would affect fisheries resources and environmental concerns raised by the Rajendra Pachauri Committee.
The manifesto said proper studies should be conducted on issues raised by fishermen and the Pachauri Committee and after getting the fishermen’s approval, it should be implemented.