Chennai, Jan. 14 -- After Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin recently wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to protect the interests of Sri Lankan Tamils amid ongoing constitutional reforms in the island nation, political analysts supported the move but differed on whether the display of support across maritime borders would perhaps serve the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam well with regard to the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

"In Tamil Nadu, there is a historical and emotional sense of closeness to Lankan Tamils, so supporting their cause will be in good stead for the elections," said Bernard D'Sami, Senior Fellow at LISSTAR (Loyola Institute of Social Science Training and Research) in Chennai.

"But Stalin's insisten...