Vaiko condemns special treatment for Lankan president at Tirupati - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) ounder, Gopalswamy (Vaiko), condemned the Union Government for inviting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and giving a preferential treatment to him at the famous Tirupati temple. Addressing the media here, Vaiko contended that the Union Government by keeping in view the state of Lankan Tamils should not have extended such a privilege to Rajapaksa. "He (Rajapaksa) was invited by the Indian government and he was brought to Tirupati Tirumala temple. I don't blame the temple authorities. They don't have any fault in this," Vaiko said. "I accuse the Central Government for inviting Rajapaksa here and giving a red carpet welcome in front of temple and taking him to the Sanctum Sanctorum which... unpardonable, betrayal against the Tamils,"he added. In October 2009, Rajapaksa visited to Tirupathi for a darshan of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirumala. He was given red carpet reception in New Delhi and was also given special permission to enter the Balaji temple.