Karunanidhi's name now figures under the sub-heading entitled ``Stand of the SIT on theories beyond LTTE''. But according to Home Ministry sources, this was not the first time that the ATR was modified for political considerations.

First, the pressure came from the AIADMK and allies while the ATR was being drafted. The group, led by Vazhapadi Ramamurthi, is believed to have a played a key role in getting Karunanidhi's name included in the ATR's sub-section titled ``Role of Suspects''.

At that point, relations between the BJP and the AIADMK had not yet soured and to keep the latter in good humour, a Cabinet note is believed to have been sent to the Home Ministry asking for the necessary changes in the draft under preparation.

Now the Home Ministry is claiming a ``typographical error''. The explanation being handed out by North Block is that Karunanidhi's name should have been listed under a different subheading which was omitted due to a clerical oversight.

There may not be many takers for the ``typographical error'' theory, more so when over half a dozen senior IAS officers in the North Block were actively associated with every stage of the ATR's preparation. In fact, today, the Congress demanded a clarification from Advani whether the ``discovery'' of an ``error'' changed his commitment to have LTTE-DMK links investigated.

Observers feel that timing of the fresh controversy is a signal that the BJP has begun activating its contingency plan to see that the Government survives if the AIADMK withdraws support. Advani's undated letter to Murasoli Maran, released at this point when the AIADMK and the BJP are on the warpath, is an open sign of the emerging bond between the BJP and the DMK.

Although the Tamil Nadu CM has not been let off the hook completely, the case against him, now to be investigated by the MDMA, has been watered down considerably by striking his name off the list of suspects mentioned in the ATR.

A pattern of the BJP-DMK advances towards each other is emerging. Advani's letter comes on the heels of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's acceptance of the Cauvery accord, his statement that the DMK would ``support the Government on its welfare programmes'' and Maran's observation that in politics no party was untouchable.

Karunanidhi also said that a government should be allowed to complete its entire term. What is being envisaged is a TDP-type support which would enable the DMK to project its equidistant stand.

Though Maran had written to Advani on Karunanidhi's name being wrongly listed under the ``Role of suspects'' chapter in the ATR, it was not necessary for Advani to acknowledge the ``inadvertent error'' so promptly. If it had been politically inconvenient, the letter would not have been written, sources said.

Congress spokesman Ajit Jogi said that Advani should have in all fairness informed the Congress delegation which met him on August 19 about the amendment to the ATR.

The decision to write to Advani seeking a clarification on the issue was taken at a meeting of senior party leaders Sharad Pawar, Manmohan Singh, Arjun Singh and legal expert Kapil Sibal, also a Rajya Sabha member, this morning.