Wednesday, January 18 2006 15:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today (Jan 18, 2006) alleged that the DMK had threatened to withdraw support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, if it announced a liberal aid package to Tamil Nadu for flood relief work.

Intervening during a debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address to the state assembly, she said DMK President M Karunanidhi telephonically conveyed the threat to Congress President Sonia Gandhi when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced an additional grant of Rs. 500 crore to the state.

"Dr Singh is a good and large hearted man. But his hands are tied. Though he wants to give more funds to the state, he is unable to do so," she told S Jagaveerapandiyan (BJP) who requested her to launch an agitation to get more funds for flood relief work.

"We will not rest till we get whatever we demanded. We will explore all avenues," she said.

Jagaveerapandiyan alleged that the Centre was adopting a 'step-motherly attitude' in extending help to the state.

The state had demanded more than Rs. 13,000 crore for the relief work, but the Centre had announced only Rs. 1000 crore, he said.