Film director and leader of Latchiya Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party Vijaya T Rajendhar on Tuesday resigned from the vice-chairmanship of the Tamil Nadu Small Savings Advisory Committee in order to "mobilise support for Ealam Tamils on the Sri Lankan issue." Rajendhar, an ally of the ruling DMK, was rewarded with the post, equivalent to the status of state minister, for his statewide campaign in support of Democratic Porgressive Alliance candidates during the 2006 Assembly elections.

The actor-director told reporters that he had planned to criss-cross the state and raise voice in support of Sri Lankan Tamils.

As part of it, he was scheduled to address public meetings in Madurai and Chennai."As my campaign may create problems in the alliance and cause embarrassment to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, I have decided to quit the post," he said.

He also criticised the Centre for having failed to "warn" the Sri Lankan government despite the "continuous attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy."

Rajendhar said he had sent the resignation letter to Karunanidhi, explaining the reason behind his decision to quit the post.

Source: http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/mar/25actor.htm