Fernandes fails to persuade Jaya

Repeatedly questioned by mediapersons as soon as he emerged from Jayalalitha’s residence on whether she had agreed to sign the statement, he said she had no “fundamental objections” to it, but “may have some reservations”.

He added that she did not voice any specific complaint or grievance, and saw no threat to the Government. Fernandes, who made a brief stop-over here en route to Lakshadweep via Kochi,claimed that he had just come to “say hello” to her, and it was wrong to presume that he had some message from Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The Defence Minister, trouble-shooter in the coalition, was apparently on a mission to mollify Jayalalitha, following her refusal to sign the statement and her veiled warning about an “appropriate decision at an appropriate time” on whether she would continue to back the regime.

Asked about Jayalalitha’s charge that coordination committee meetings were just an “eye-wash”, as major decisions were being made without consulting the allies, Fernandes said she had indeed “expressed herself strongly, as she always does, but mere expression of reservations should not be read as confrontation”.

After all, he said, it was Jayalalitha who was responsible for establishing the coordination committee. Pointing out that she was not present at the meeting, he said in a lighter vein that “there is no remote-controlled signing device”.

Asked why his visits alwayscame in the wake of strong anti-Centre statements by Jayalalitha, he said: “That is being very unfair both to her and me.”

Asked about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s charge that the Centre was “interfering” with judicial matters (concerning special judges appointed to try Jayalalitha and others in corruption cases), Fernandes said he did not think the judiciary could be pressured by anybody.

Later, an AIADMK statement, announcing the discussion between Jayalalitha and Fernandes, described the visit as a “courtesy call”. It gave no other details about the nature of the discussions.