After DMK, lone VCK member withdraws support to UPA

After DMK, the lone MP of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Thirumaa Valavan Thol, today withdrew support to the Congress-led UPA over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

He handed over his withdrawal letter to President Pranab Mukherjee this afternoon.

"I have withdrawn the support as the Centre has shown no keenness in condemning the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka," Thol said after the meeting Mukherjee.

Traditionally an ally of DMK, he is the only member of VCK in Parliament.

"We want that the Centre should pass a resolution in Parliament at least condemning the genocide," Thol, an MP from Chidambaram constituency, said.

Last night, DMK formally ended its nine-year-old alliance with the UPA. The party has 18 MPs in the Lok Sabha and six in the Rajya Sabha.