Sumanthiran, Sritharan take contrasting views before Jaishankar on common Tamil candidate

The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) , the main Tamil party in the north and the east, appeared divided in front of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar regarding the plan to field a common Tamil Presidential candidate S. Sritharan supporting it and Jaffna district MP M.A. Sumanthiran opposing it openly.

The Indian Minister, during his Thursday’s visit , met the representatives of Tamil parties. Tamil leaders such as C.V. Vigneswaran, Selvarajah Gajendran, Dharmalingam Sithaththan and Selvam Adaikkalanadan briefed him about the plan for a common Tamil candidate instead of supporting any main candidate from the south.

The ITAK , the key party  in the north and the east commanding the majority support, remains divided with the two leaders holding contrasting views.