Cong. still keen on share in TN government: Krishnaswamy

Chennai, Mar 9 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Congress President M Krishnaswamy today reiterated that though the party was ''very keen'' on getting a share in the state government, it was for DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to take a final decision on this.

Talking to newspersons here he said he had conveyed the aspirations of the Congress workers to share power, to the party High Command. 'It's only just and fair,' he added referring to the stand of the party workers that the Congress must also be accommodated in the government.

However, the DMK President and Congress supremo alone could take a final decision on the matter, he added.

Referring to the gazette notification of the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT), Mr Krishnaswamy said it was not possible to gezette award till the time for appeal against the final award expired. 'If that was done, we will not get justice on some provisions of the final verdict which would be tantamount to going against the interests of the State,' he added.

He said till the time of the notification of final award, the interim award would be in force, he claimed.

Commenting on the arrest of three men in Chennai with alleged connections with the banned LTTE, he said the Congress party was quite happy with the performance of Tamil Nadu police.

He also pointed out that that the new office bearers for the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee would be appointed on or before April 20.

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram will address an explanatory meeting on the Union Budget here on March 11, he said.

UNI