Lankan crisis to impact Tamil Nadu polls

By: Subhadeep Bhattacharjee

The war between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in northern Sri Lanka is likely to have a huge impact on the Lok Savha polls in in Tamil Nadu. Political parties from Tamil Nadu like the DMK, AIADMK and PMK are trying to draw maximum mileage out of the Lankan issue. The BJP and the Congress are watching their steps on the issue and refraining themselves from making any controversial remarks on the issue.

Now the Sri Lankan has finally declared a ceasefire and promised not to use heavy weapons and air strikes as close to one lakh Tamil civilians are still believed to be trapped in the battle zone. This after New Delhi requested Colombo to halt the aggressive move by its army which was talking a toll not only on the Tigers but the civilians too. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said the ceasefire was a result of the Indian intervention in the island nation.

The ceasefire by the Lankan government will bring a huge sigh of relief to the Congress and the DMK as both these parties are on sticky wicket in the state. DMK is not likely to sweep through the polls like it did last time when it got all the seats along with its allies denying Jayalalitha's AIADMK a single seat in the Parliament. LTTE's defeat would have further made the situation for the Congress- DMK combine.

The PMK has made LTTE the most important issue in Tamil Nadu and its leader Vaiko is openly campaigning for the Tamil Tigers. Often termed as the political face of the LTTE in India Vaiko would surely emerge as the greatest benefactor if any thing happens to the LTTE chief and his organisation. He had even threatened to have a bloodbath in Tamil Nadu in case anything happens to Prabhakaran or the LTTE.

The coming few days will be very important as the Lankan Army will not give up its positions after making strategic gains. What seems logical is the army is giving some time so that the civilians can go out after which it can launch its final offensive against the government.