No BJP-DMK deal yet: Jaya

CHENNAI, SEPT 17: AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha today sought to play down the possibilities of a new relationship between BJP and DMK and ...

CHENNAI, SEPT 17: AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha today sought to play down the possibilities of a new relationship between BJP and DMK and said there was no manifestation of an open tie-up between them. She, however, told reporters here that if such a question arose, her party would look into the matter.

Jayalalitha, who had earlier alleged a “secret understanding” between DMK and BJP, said “There is no relationship between the two parties manifested openly. If such a question arises, we will consider it.”

To a question about Prime Minister A B Vajpayee’s remark that the rally organised by MDMK here on Sept 15 was a turning point, Jayalalitha shot back, “There is no turning point, according to me. The status quo remains.” She also said that the September 15 AIADMK rally at Tiruchirapalli was a “great success”.

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Asked to comment on Vajpayee’s statement that the BJP-led coalition would welcome support from any quarter, the AIADMK supremo said, “It is still a hypothetical question.” She alsoinformed the media that she would be talking to the Prime Minister about expansion of the Union Cabinet.

Commenting on the meeting Defence Minister George Fernandes had with her yesterday, Jayalalitha said it was aimed at putting AIADMK and BJP on an “even keel”.

Asked how she viewed the meeting between DMK president M Karunanidhi and MDMK leader Vaiko here on Wednesday, she said there was “nothing extraordinary about it because when political leaders meet they exchange pleasantries. There is nothing wrong in it”.

When she was quizzed on whether she thought AIADMK had been treated well by the BJP, she shot back, “You can ask the prime minister.”

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