CM backs Vajpayee on RSS issue

He said that while there were several other issues concerning the country, unnecessary prominence need not be given to this matter. He claimed that the media had given varying versions of his press conference in Chennai on Tuesday.

quot;Though we agree with the RSS claim that it was only a social outfit, it too has taken to politics like other social outfits. That is why I am opposed to Government employees participating in the RSS shakas. I still hold that view,quot; he said.

He said the Government employees were bound by the Constitution. If employees working in the same department are affiliated to different political parties, it would add to the confusion and affect their functioning. One should keep in mind the consequences if the trend is extended to the police and the Army, he added.

The Chief Minister said that he would also write to the Prime Minister to distribute 29 per cent of gross proceeds of the Central Government to the State Governments as per the decision taken in the Inter State Council.