Not proper to meet Sonia as Cong, DMK are still allies: Jayalalithaa
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Fresh from her electoral victory, Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday gave indications that she could consider a possible tie-up with Congress if it makes an approach after severing ties with ally DMK.
At a press conference after a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here, she said it would not be appropriate for her to meet Sonia Gandhi because Congress and DMK are still allies and they continue to share power at the Centre.
“If anyone wants my support, they have to ask me. You cannot ask on their behalf,” Jayalalithaa said, answering a question by a reporter whether she was hesitant to tie up with Congress because it was “weak”.
Jayalalithaa, whom Sonia Gandhi called after the elections to congratulate her on her victory in May triggering political speculation, was asked a number of questions on the possibility of Congress and AIADMK coming together.
She was also reminded about her declaration of open support to the Congress government at the Centre in November last and was asked whether it was still valid.
“The offer was made seven months ago. The situation was entirely different. After that much water has flown down the bridge. The Congress has made it clear that its alliance continues with DMK.
“Both are still partners in the UPA coalition government. So, the question of my offering support simply does not arise,” she said.
Initially when a reporter asked whether there was apossibility of a realignment between Congress and AIADMK to which Jayalalithaa replied: “It is premature to comment on such questions. No one from the UPA have asked me this.”
To another question whether she was open to the idea of aligning with Congress, she said she cannot answer to such “hypothetical” questions.
But, the chief minister was forthcoming later when she said “As of Tuesday, the Congress still has an alliance with DMK. Congress and DMK on Tuesday continue to be partners in the coalition government.
“In such a situation, it would not be appropriate for me to call on Mrs Sonia Gandhi who is also the Congress president.”
Turning to DMK, she said the DMK supremo M. Karunanidhi, his family and leading lights of the party are feeling the heat now because of the corruption in the previous regime and said a few DMK leaders were already in jail and “many more are likely to go to jail.”
“All the cases against DMK and its members have been initiated by the Centre of which DMK is a partner. None of the case were filed either by me or by party members,” she said.
On Karunanidhi’s charge that she was vindictive, the chief minister rejected it and said “we are not looking for any opportunity and we are more interested in the development of the state.”
She demanded the resignation of textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran, who is facing allegations of a quid quo pro in allocation of spectrum to Aircel, and said if he does not step down on his own, “the Prime Minister should drop him.”
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