I did not use harsh words: MK tells PM, Sonia

Chennai, Apr 3: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today denied having made any provocative statement on the Hogenakkal integrated drinking water scheme issue, as alleged by senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna. In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, a copy of which was released to the media here, he felt sorry for the ''unkindly'' remarks of Mr Krishna in New Delhi yesterday that his harsh language had provoked reactions in Karnataka, leading to unhealthy developments.

''I have not used any harsh language either publicly or in the resolution passed unanimously in the State Assembly (on the issue) on April one,'' he clarified in the letter, a copy of which was also sent to Mr Krishna.

Recalling his statement, Mr Karunanidhi said ''I am of the view that we should not fight each other as we are brothers. Some anti-social elements will magnify this and cause conflagration. I have been keeping patience so that no room is given to such a situation.'' Quoting media reports, he said no one could misinterpret his words if one went through his speech carefully. ''As a person who has understood me fully well, I am quite sure you will not believe or even imagine that such provocative words would have been uttered by me,'' he added.

Exuding confidence that Mr Singh and Ms Gandhi would appreciate the just cause for which Tamil Nadu had been fighting within the democratic and Constitutional framework, he said a Chief Minister could not remain quiet when in the neighbouring State, buses from Tamil Nadu were burnt, Tamil cinema houses were ransacked, Tamil Sangam office in Bangalore was attacked and Tamils in that State were under constant fear.

UNI