Chennai: In the midst of strain in ties with BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in Tamil Nadu, the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), a key constituent of NDA (National Democratic Alliance), appears to be keeping its options open on the issue of alliance for next Lok Sabha polls.

In a wide-ranging interview, DMK president M Karunanidhi talked on a number of subjects including national political scene, general elections and the possibility of alliance with Congress.

"It was too premature to discuss the alliance issue. The issue will be taken up only after the polls are announced," he said when asked whether DMK would consider an alliance with Congress as its president Sonia Gandhi had stated that her party was not averse to coalition and in view of setbacks in DMK-BJP ties.

Asked whether his remarks meant that DMK was keeping its options open, Karunanidhi said, "Do not read between the lines".

The 80-year old politician said general elections are "like blowing winds and the political scene is cloud formation an the sky."

"We have to see whether the velocity of wind will drive the cloud formation. However, elections forms basis for a change. We have to wait to see what sort of change is going to take place," Karunanidhi said.

Karunanidhi said DMK would not sit quiet and play an effective role in effecting political change.

Asked what would be role of DMK in effecting political change, he said, "We will not watch the fun. We will play an effective role in the change."

However, DMK would evolve its political strategy fully keeping in mind the situation in Tamil Nadu as the state was expected to play its part in any change in the political situation, he said.

Asked whether the changing political situation in the country would have an impact on Tamil Nadu and what would be DMK's stand in the changing situation, he said the party's general council, the top policy- making body, would take stock of the situation before taking a final decision.

On the performance of NDA government in the past five years, he said a non-Congress government at the Centre for five years was itself a big achievement.

"Though not many good things have happened, you should also note that no bad thing has happened during the NDA's tenure," he said.

Asked whether the NDA government had deviated from the national agenda for governance on several issues, including the Ramjanmabhoomi issue, Karunanidhi, who is one of the architects of the National Front, United Front and National Democratic Alliance at the national level politics, said, "I hope that the Centre will not deviate from the agenda".

PTI