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Jaya will comment on DMK's support to BJP when it happens

All India Anna DMK chief J Jayalalitha today said she would wait and see whether the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam offered support to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition at the Centre before commenting on Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's remarks in this regard yesterday.

Talking to reporters after garlanding the statue of Dravidian leader E V R Periyar on his birth anniversary in Madras, she said it was hypothetical whether the DMK would actually offer support to the BJP. "If that happened, I would comment then."

Jayalalitha was answering reporters' query about Vajpayee's statement yesterday that he would accept support from any quarter (including the DMK).

Jayalalitha differed with the prime minister's assessment of the MDMK rally, that it marked a turning point in the political equations in the state, saying as far as her party was concerned, it was not so. The status quo would continue, she added.

Answering another question, Jayalalitha said she would discuss with the prime minister the question of inducting more AIADMK members into the Union cabinet.

Asked whether her earlier allegation of a secret link between the BJP and the DMK had now come true, Jayalalitha said there was no open manifestation of a deal.

Asked about the bonhomie between Karunanidhi and leader of her party ally, the MDMK's Vaiko during the prime minister's reception at the airport, Jayalalitha said not much need be attached to such lighter moments. Such things were common when leaders of different parties meet, she said.

Jayalalitha claimed her party's Tiruchirapalli meeting on September 15 was a great success.

Answering a question, she said she did not mean any particular ally when she referred to allies climbing up to reach great heights using her party as a ladder, and that she stood by her statement.

Asked about her meeting with Defence Minister George Fernandes yesterday, Jayalalitha said Fernandes assured her that the relationship between the BJP and the AIADMK was on an even keel.

UNI

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