Jaya rules out coalition Govt

When pointed out that the TMC was insisting on a coalition arrangement, she said “I have stated my party’s stand.” When a scribe persisted and asked what will her stand be in the event of the AIADMK failing to secure an absolute majority, she replied “You will be disappointed.”

Jayalalitha said that she had no information about the PMK opening channels with the AIADMK. “You should ask them”, she answered to a question whether TTV Dinakaran and Dr Ramadoss’ son Anbumani had discussed the possibility of an alliance between the two parties. “Both have denied the reports”, she pointed out.

Denying allegations that the revamp in the party disturbed the cadres at the grass roots level, she said it has strengthened the party thousand times. However she refused to go into details regarding the revamp, stating “it is purely an inner party matter.”

On allegations that she was ducking party elections, she replied that she had nominated the various people into party posts since the Assembly elections are fast approaching. “Organisational election is a major affair. We need a lot of time.”

Denying that she was being controlled by Sasikala and her coterie, Jayalalitha said “I think and act independently.” Asked if she was not promoting T.T.V.Dinakaran, Jayalalitha said “I am promoting all the office bearers of the party including Dinakaran”. She maintained that MGR loyalists were not being sidlined in the party.

NO ARMS TO LANKA: Stating that the Sri Lankan crisis should be settled through political means, she said that the Indian Government should use its good offices to bring an end to the problem and the suffering of the Tamils. “The Tamils must be given their legitimate rights”, she added.

However she made it clear that no assistance should be given in the form of arms and ammunition. Humanitarian assitance like life saving medicines can be extended through the Red Cross society.

Though she welcomed the Union Government’s decision not to intervene in the Sri Lanakn affair, she criticised Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapayee for not consulting other political parties on the issue. “I was personally responsible for the banning of the LTTE”, she pointed put and said the ban should continue.

She declined to go into other detalis, such us how to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table. Asked to comment on Chief Minister M Karunanidhi statement that the Prime Minister had a free hand to deal the Lankan issue as he thought fit, Jayalalitha remarked “probably Karunanidhi would not have had any concrete proposals.”