Machinations

But Rudra also displayed manipulative political skill.He began interacting with several of his supporters in various countries and conducted a quiet, discreet campaign to win over some of the elected representatives. In a deft manoeuvre Rudra also arranged for Philadelphia in the USA to be the venue for the inaugural meeting.

This surprise move curtailed Nediyavan—Jeyachandran--Jeyanandamurthy machinations to some extent. As a compromise teleconferencing facilities were arranged to enable participation of European representatives. 14 elected representatives including Jeyanandamurthy gathered in London while another 12 met in Geneva. They were tele-linked to Philadelphia.

47 elected representatives of the TGTE converged in Philadelphia. The meeting was open to the Tamil public. There were also some non – Tamil friends like Ramsey Clark, US lawyer Karen Parker,Swedish academic Peter Schalk and US Professor Francis Boyle. The gathering was around 75.

After the Nediyavan faction changed tactics and contested TGTE elections with a view to capture it the tiger flag was prominently displayed in the campaign. There were many instances of candidates sponsored by  Nediyavan  going to the polling stations with their supporters waving tiger flags.

Any plans the anti-Rudra elements may have had about  exploiting the tiger flag issue were scuttled as the  red and yellow flag with the roaring tiger in a circle of 33 bullets and two  crossed guns fluttered on the podium along with the US stars and stripes national flag.

Rudrakumaran himself was responsible for this act. Apparently some  were planning to walk out of the meeting if the tiger flag was absent. But this was pre-empted. Rudra also delivered a stirring address in Tamil that was quite impressive .He explained the goals of the TGTE and appealed for unity and support.