AMN / CHENNAI
The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu has said the party is in favour of granting dual citizenship to the Sri Lankan Tamils in the country.
The Tamil Official Development Minister Pandiarajan told the state Assembly that dual citizenship is preferable, as granting Indian citizenship would deprive them of taking possession of their ancestral properties back home.
Mr Pandiarajan gave the reply when a privilege motion was brought against him by a DMK member saying he has misled the House in January this year claiming that dual citizenship is possible. The DMK legislator Thankam Thennarasu pointed out to the Union Government informing the Parliament that there is no provision in the existing law to grant such dual citizenship to Sri Lankans.
The AIADMK Minister retorted saying Overseas Indian Citizenship is possible, adding over two lakh Sri Lankans have already secured it and the possibility of more people getting it is still a reality.
After the minister’s reply, the Speaker rejected the privilege motion, which led to the walk out of the DMK members from the House.