Congress downplays TNCC-DMK spat on LTTE issue

New Delhi, Feb 4 (UNI) The Congress party today sought to downplay the public spat between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and its state unit on the LTTE issue and said the ruling DMK was a "valued coalition partner''.

"Absolutely there is no question of any communication gap, real or imagined,"AICC Spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons when they brought to his notice the statement of Mr Karunanidhi cautioning the state Congress leaders against being party to those trying to topple his government by accusing it of taking no action against LTTE supporters.

Speaking at a marriage function in Chennai yesterday, Mr Karunanidhi expressed regret over the remarks of Congress leaders and Union Ministers P Chidambaram and E V K S Elangovan and TNCC Chief M Krishnaswamy insinuating that the Karunanidhi government was not acting tough to contain the spread of the banned LTTE, which had killed former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"Please don't try to create the impression that there is a problem between the Congress and the DMK," he said, adding, "there is absolutely no question of any differences on whatever issue. If at all there is any, it will be sorted out completely through mutual effort." UNI SH SHB HT1848