CHENNAI: Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss on Monday went on the offensive, alleging that the Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi had a role in the controversial interview given by the DMK platform speaker R. Vetrikondan to a Tamil weekly.

"The interview was not actually that of [Mr] Vetrikondan. It was prepared at Arivalayam [the DMK headquarters] and cleared by Kalaignar [Mr. Karunanidhi]," the PMK leader told a press conference here.

Notwithstanding the row, he made it clear that his party's support to the DMK Government would continue till the end.

Asked to substantiate his charge, Dr. Ramadoss replied that Mr. Vetrikondan's son, vice-chairman of the Jayamkondan municipality, had said that his father was asked to subscribe to the statement prepared earlier.

On the protest by his party legislators, the PMK founder said that there was nothing objectionable in what the MLAs did. They squatted in a corner near the Chief Minister's office at the Secretariat and the placards held by them displayed "only their sentiments." The PMK leader said he had not made any derogatory remark against the DMK president, his family or the DMK. "All our criticisms have been made, keeping in mind the interests, concerns and rights of Tamil Nadu and its people."

Taking exception to Mr. Karunanidhi's observation that media reports clearly showed that the seeds of bitterness had been unnecessarily sown in the relations between the PMK and the DMK in the last few months, Dr. Ramadoss wanted to know which issues caused bitterness.

The PMK had taken a definite stand on issues such as the Mullaperiyar, Cauvery, Palar water disputes, the Chennai airport expansion, establishing a satellite town , entry of big players in retail trade, price rise, illicit sand quarrying and liquor sale through Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation shops. "Will they feel happy had we supported the Government's position," the PMK leader asked. The PMK was not alone in criticising the DMK Government, he said.

Asked whether there would be any problem to the stability of the United Progressive Alliance at the Centre or the Democratic Progressive Alliance in the State, Dr. Ramadoss said there would be no problem. His party's continued support to the DMK regime should not be linked to any factor other than "the commitment made by us at the time of Assembly elections," Dr. Ramadoss said.

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