Fathima's reported statement that she signed some papers without knowing what they meant, was not true since throughout her meeting with AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalitha, the latter had conversed with her in Telugu and Urdu as these languages alone were known to her, Mohammed Asif asserted.

There is absolutely no intention on Jayalalitha's part to induct Fathima into the party, Asif said, adding that all the while, Jayalalitha's conversation was confined to social mobilisation and development activities of Fathima.

``To invigorate Fathima's developmental work'' in her native village, Jayalalitha hadpresented her with Rs 1 lakh on behalf of the party. ``It was then that Fathima requested she be admitted as a member of the party,'' Asif stated. Not only she (Fathima), even her husband and brother-in-law expressed their desire to become members of the AIADMK, he added.

Jayalalitha was not quite prepared for this. ``It was only after such direct requests from them, that arrangements were made for the party membership application forms and certification cards to be brought from the party office,'' Asif maintained.