Talking to the media at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister justified the DMK's decision to vote in favour of the Vajpayee Government during the vote of confidence, stating that senior TMC leaders too had taken a similar line.

In particular, the Chief Minister said TMC General Secretary Peter Alphonse had, at a book release function on April 10, urged him to find a way to enable the BJP Government to continue without Jayalalitha's support at least for six months and ensure that Jayalalitha's efforts at toppling the government failed.

``Alphonse believes in God. If he swears by God that he did not make such an observation, I have no option but to form a conclusive opinion about him'', the DMK chief remarked. However, Alphonse bitterly criticised the DMK for voting in favour of the BJP Government at a public meeting jointly addressed by the Leftparties and the TMC in Triplicane, the Chief Minister pointed out.

``And though I had never accused the TMC of being opportunistic at any point of time, strangely, Alphonse issued a rejoinder to such imaginary reports in the media'', the Chief Minister said.

``No comments'', he categorically stated, to a question on Moopanar's reported observation that the DMK had taken a hasty decision in aligning with the BJP.

Similarly, he parried queries on TMC leader P Chidambaram's statement that the TMC, Congress and Left parties would form a political front in Tamil Nadu, saying, ``It's our friend Chidambaram's views''.

On the turmoil in the Congress over the question of Sonia Gandhi's Italian nationality, the Chief Minister said nothing. All he would point out, matter-of-factly, is that expelled Congress leaders Sharad Pawar, P A Sangma and Tariq Anwar had expressed the views aired by AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha last year.

On whether Sonia Gandhi was suitable to take over the reins of the country,Karunanidhi cautiously observed that he would make no comment on the issue without gauging the public mood.

No parleys with PM

Karunanidhi also ruled out the possibility of holding any seat sharing parleys with the Prime Minister and BJP leader A B Vajpayee during his proposed halt at Chennai before leaving for Sriharikota to witness the PSLV-C-2 launch slated for May 26.

Karunanidhi told media persons at the Secretariat today that the State government was yet to receive information on the exact date and time of Prime Minister's arrival in Chennai. Since he (CM) was scheduled to tour the southern districts from May 25 to 27, he would be able to receive the Prime Minister if he arrived in the city on May 25 morning, Karunanidhi said.