Sangaree says Tamils support Indian model of devolution

Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) leader V Anandasangaree has sought Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's help to urge Indian government's assistance in finding a solution for Sri Lanka.

Anandasangaree said he suggested Sri Lanka propose a similar model to Indian constitution to solve the long running ethnic conflict.

'Power' of Tamil Nadu

"I urged Karunanidhi to use his power to suggest to the central government an Indian-style devolution," he told BBC Sandeshaya from his hotel room in Chennai.

I urged Karunanidhi to use his power to suggest to the central government an Indian-style devolution V Anandasangaree

"Tamils in both Sri Lanka and India support Indian-style devolution".

Annadasangaree is the first anti-LTTE Tamil politician from Sri Lanka to meet CM Karunanidhi in recent times.

Parliamentarians from Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has held several meetings with the chief minister.

Anandasangaree says TNA does not represent Tamils in Sri Lanka.

LTTE and TNA

"TNA represents Tamil Tigers not the Tamil people".

The Tamil Tigers, according to Anandasangaree, is only foghting for a separate state and will not accept a federal-style devolution of power.

If the government can suggest a fair solution, then the LTTE will be marginalised Anandasangaree

"If the government can suggest a fair solution, then the LTTE will be marginalised".

He expressed dissatisfaction over the All Party Conference (APC) called by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to find a solution.

The government should come out, he said, with a solution and produce it before the APC instead.

"If Tamil Nadu supports that proposal India will not turn it away," he told bbcsinhala.com.