S Jaishankar said there was an argument in showing the details: “We didn’t [only] Show a state or two.”
New Delhi:
The ruling parties in at least four states – all in opposition at the Center – today objected to the state finances being discussed at an all-party meeting on the Sri Lanka crisis. The central government, which had called the meeting, later said there was “no political intent” and that “Sri Lanka’s lessons are very strong”.
Sources told NDTV that Mithun Reddy, an MP from Andhra Pradesh’s ruling YSR Congress, first raised the objection and then other opposition parties including Telangana Rashtra Samithi, DMK in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress joined it. The submission, the financial position of the states, was then put on hold.
TRS sources said, “When the topic was Sri Lanka crisis, there was no need for it.
But External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar later clarified: “There was a logic in what we were trying to show. We didn’t. [only] Show one or two states. We showed the condition of all the states. had no political intent; It was a data-based presentation on fiscal prudence.”
“Sri Lanka’s lessons are very strong. They are fiscal prudence, responsible governance… there shouldn’t be a culture of freebies,” he said.
Document containing loans and other financial details for all states.
The meeting was called by the government to address the concerns of several parties, especially the people of Tamil Nadu, over the condition of the country’s Tamil population and the influx of refugees. The agenda was that Mr. Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would brief the leaders of all political parties in both the Houses of Parliament.
So far, apart from sending humanitarian aid through few channels, India has confined itself to the role of the hands in crisis. However, it has assured Sri Lanka that it will continue to support democracy, stability and economic recovery.
But in the meeting of all parties before the monsoon session of Parliament on Sunday, DMK and AIADMK demanded India’s intervention.
Meanwhile, the Parliament in Sri Lanka will elect a new President tomorrow. Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe will face former education minister Dullas Alhapparuma and leftist leader Anura Dissanayake. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa has withdrawn from the race, announcing his support for Mr. Alhapparuma.