Jaya's protests against Centre a political stunt: Karuna

The DMK president, whose party is a key UPA ally, alleged that it was the intention of Jayalalithaa and some other parties willing to strike alliance with her to "fish in troubled waters," as they wanted to see his party walk out of the coalition.

Writing in party mouthpiece 'Murasoli', he said despite being an ally of Congress and a constituent in the UPA, DMK had never "betrayed" Congress. He said the party at the same time had voiced its concern when it came to issues affecting Tamil Nadu.

"But for Jayalalithaa, and parties who discreetly support her with an aim to forging alliance with her for Parliamentary elections, the inherent feeling is that DMK should somehow quit Congress alliance (following which) there should be confusion in the Central government (so that they could) use that to attempt to fish in troubled waters. DMK is well aware of that and so are the people," he said.

He was referring to the strong criticism by Jayalalithaa of the ruling UPA and its constituent DMK on issues including Cauvery water and fuel price hike.

The DMK patriarch described as a "political stunt" Jayalalithaa's announcement of statewide protests against the Centre on issues including Cauvery and railway fare hike, saying her government had increased the prices of milk and bus fare and electricity tariff after coming to power.