Jaya gives BJP extra time

CHENNAI, July 4: It was Operation Woo Jayalalitha today. Even as Buta Singh was trying to persuade her to join hands with the Rashtriya Lokt...

CHENNAI, July 4: It was Operation Woo Jayalalitha today. Even as Buta Singh was trying to persuade her to join hands with the Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha and bring down the BJP government, Union Defence George Fernandes arrived by a private car and was seated in another room of her residence.

But the latter won the day as he, along with Union Minister Dilip Ray, met the AIADMK leader and extracted a promise of continued support to the Vajpayee government at least 8220;for the present.8221;

The relief in the BJP camp appears to be only temporary. For though Fernandes was relatively happy about the mission he described the talks as satisfactory he made it clear that the dismissal of the DMK government was not on top of the government8217;s or 8220;anybody8217;s agenda8221;. This is in variance with the AIADMK stand that it is firm on the ouster of the Karunanidhi government.

Jayalalitha8217;s Poes Garden residence was virtually besieged by the media as one VIP after another, carrying messages from political bosses, tried tosecure her support and that of the 27 MPs in her front.

AIADMK presidium chairman V R Nedunchezhiyan declared, after a meeting held by Jayalalitha with party office-bearers and MPs at her residence, that the party would continue to support the BJP-led government, at least, 8220;for the present8221; and that her MPs would attend Parliament from Monday.

The AIADMK ministers in the government would also continue, he said, but maintained that the party would continue to demand dismissal of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu and raise issues which concerned the state in Parliament. Law minister M Thambidurai echoed this statement. It was apparently on Laloo8217;s recommendation, that Buta Singh, former Union Communications Minister and now an independent MP, met Jayalalitha this morning.

Curiously, representatives from both camps were in her house at the same time. The Defence Minister was, however, given the privilege of having lunch with the AIADMK leader while making out a case for AIADMK8217;s continued participationin the government.

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Fernandes, who came to Chennai this morning, said he had not come as the Prime Minister8217;s emissary. He said he had merely come to enquire about her health. 8220;She could not attend the June 27 coordination committee meeting. I had told her then that I would call on her as soon as she gets better.8221;

He, however, admitted that Jayalalitha gave him a 8220;very good message8221; to be conveyed to Vajpayee. A satisfied Fernandes said: 8220;I had a good meal and a good talkquot;.