Tamil Nadu opinion poll calls for independent Eezham

[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 August 2008, 07:18 GMT]
A majority of voters decided that an independent Thamizh Eezham is the solution to the Sri Lankan crisis and solicited support to the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) in a significant opinion poll conducted by Ananda Vikatan, a popular weekly of Tamil Nadu state in India. The outcome of the poll and its appearance in an influential media, foretell shifting paradigms in Tamil Nadu scenario, according to observers.

The results of the opinion poll appeared in the Tamil magazine this week.

Out of 12 issues raised by the weekly, 4 were responded with opinion of absolute majority: India to retrieve Kachchatheevu from Sri Lanka (65.76%), urging India to involve in Sri Lankan crisis (62.9%), independent Thamizh Eezham as correct solution (55.44%) and support to LTTE (54.25%).

On the question of LTTE leader V. Pirapaharan's accused involvement in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, 43.02% assented to his arrest while 40.07% felt that he should be forgiven, and 16.90% considered him innocent.

A considerable number of voters (43.14%) disagreed with LTTE's assassinations of dissenting Tamil politicians, while the remaining either felt that it was inevitable or that they were not in a position to pass a judgement.

46.24% of the respondents were "proud about LTTE possessing a standing army, navy and air force" and only 18.59% of the voters felt that it was a danger to India.

The news of majority opinion supporting the LTTE is being flashed in a mainstream media of Tamil Nadu at a time when the LTTE, and any form of support to it, are stringently banned in India.

The details of the opinion poll appeared in Ananda Vikatan follow:

On their stand on LTTE...
	Votes	Percentage
Always support	2,276	54.25
Always against	730	17.40
Supported before the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi	1,189	28.34
On forming an independent Thamizh Eezham...
	Votes	Percentage
Correct solution	2,326	55.44
Not necessary	416	9.91
Self rule for Tamils should be sufficient	1,453	34.63
On the Indian government ban on LTTE...
	Votes	Percentage
Correct stand	1,151	27.43
The ban should be removed	1,999	47.65
Should wait and see	1,045	24.91
On the Tamil Nadu leaders’ (Vaiko, Ramadoss, Thirumalavan, Nedumaran) support for LTTE...
	Votes	Percentage
Correct stand	2,071	49.36
Dangerous policy	571	13.61
It's for other agenda	1,553	37.02
On LTTE leader Pirapaharan who is accused of involvement in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi...
	Votes	Percentage
Should be arrested	1,805	43.02
Is innocent	709	16.90
Should be forgiven	1,681	40.07
On what should be done by India in the Sri Lankan crisis...
	Votes	Percentage
India should not get involved	528	12.58
India should involve to find a solution	2,626	62.59
India should only get involved if the conflict gets out of control	1,041	24.81
On LTTE assassinating Tamil politicians of dissenting views...
	Votes	Percentage
Cannot be accepted at all	1,810	43.14
Inevitable approach	1,089	25.95
Do not understand the circumstances there	1,296	30.89
On LTTE growing to possess a standing army, navy and air force...
	Votes	Percentage
A matter to be proud of	1,940	46.24
A danger to India	780	18.59
Neither of the above	1,475	35.16
On ruling DMK’s (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) stand on LTTE...
	Votes	Percentage
DMK should take a harder stand against LTTE	953	22.71
DMK should support LTTE without worrying about being in power	1,992	47.48
DMK may continue its current policy of apathy.	1,250	29.79
On Nalini’s (convicted in Rajiv Gandhi assassination) continued imprisonment even after completion of sentence...
	Votes	Percentage
Nalini should be released	1,747	41.64
She may be released and kept under supervision	1,579	37.64
Her imprisonment should continue	869	20.71
On the islet of Kachchatheevu...
	Votes	Percentage
India should retrieve Kachchatheevu from Sri Lanka	2,759	65.76
India may give up Kachchatheevu	263	6.26
India should at least have assert to the rights of Indians getting access to Kachchatheevu.	1173	27.96
On the issue of Indian fishermen, getting killed by the Sri Lankan navy...
	Votes	Percentage
India should respond with military force	1,244	29.65
India should resolve the issue through negotiations	1,464	34.89
India should severely reprimand Sri Lanka in the international arena	1,487	35.44