Centre allocated funds according to the programmes and projects implemented by the state governments whether ruled by Congress or its allies, or opposition parties. "We don't give step motherly treatment to any state," he told reporters here.
Jayalalithaa had on April 24 charged in the assembly that the centre was meting out "step-motherly treatment" to the state in allocating funds as it "seems to think that Tamil Nadu should not be allowed to flourish as Jayalalithaa will grow into a major force if all her demands are met with."
He evaded a direct answer when asked whether DMK reviving Tamil Eelam Supporters' Organisation and seeking Centre's support for a separate homeland for Sri Lankan Tamils would affect the ties between it and the Congress.
He said the stand of the Congress at the centre and Tamil Nadu vis-a-vis the Sri Lankan issue was clear. It wanted complete rehabilitation and protection of Tamils in the island.
"That is very important. That is why Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj led a delegation to Sri lanka to find out for themselves the status of rehabilitation of Tamils. That is why India supported the US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka on human rights violations (in the UN Human Rights Council)."
Asked if the Congress would contest the coming Pudukottai assembly by-election, he said "For now UPA is strong and DMK is our ally. The TNCC President will assess the situation and send a report. On the basis of the report the All-India Congress Committee General-secretary will take a decision on contesting." PTI Corr/SSN VS
HKS
