Chennai: The DMK on Thursday said Narendra Modi could have "avoided" inviting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse for his May 26 swearing-in ceremony, saying the BJP leader should "understand the feelings" of people of Tamil Nadu.
The fact that the Sri Lankan leader was invited as part of BJP`s decision to invite all SAARC nations failed to cut ice with the Karunanidhi-led party, with senior leader TKS Elangovan insisting that people in the state were "charged with anger" against Colombo for alleged human rights violations on the ethnic minority there.
"Rajapakse is part of SAARC union, so they might have sent the invitation. But the Prime Minister (designate-Modi) should also understand the feelings of people of Tamil Nadu," Elangovan, DMK`s Organising Secretary and also party`s spokesperson, said.
He said Tamils in the island nation were "attacked and human rights violations" against them were happening and most countries had criticised such activities.
"People of Tamil Nadu are charged with anger. He (Modi) could have avoided (inviting Rajapakse)," he said.
MDMK, an ally of BJP, had already opposed Rajapakse`s participation in Modi`s swearing-in but other major NDA constituents in the state--DMDK and PMK, are yet to make their stand official on this matter.
