India's BJP-backed AIADMK pledges to create new "Eelam" in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News1st): India's All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has said it would lobby for the creation of a separate Eelam in Sri Lanka.

This comes ahead of the Tamil Nadu election in which the AIADMK is backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP and AIADMK have allied to contest the impending state elections. The AIADMK manifesto has promised to offer dual citizenship for Sri Lankan refugees currently sheltered in Tamil Nadu. Dual citizens are now allowed to contest in Sri Lanka's elections following the enforcement of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. The party has also insisted on the need to enact the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, thereby empowering provincial councils, which was expressed during this year's UNHRC sessions which are still ongoing.