CHENNAI DMK president M Karunanidhi today said he did not discuss with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the filling up of vacancies in the union cabinet caused by the resignations of A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran."Neither the Prime Minister nor me broached the subject during the meeting" in New Delhi yesterday, he told reporters soon after his return here from the national capital.Asked when those vacancies will be filled up, he quipped "you will come to know."Karunanidhi's remarks come in the wake of speculation that the subject might have been discussed since it was the first meeting between the two leaders after a long time.On the special court reserving orders on the bail application of his daughter Kanimozhi, jailed for her alleged role in 2G Spectrum case, Karunanidhi said the special judge himself had said that due to Diwali vacations, the order could not be pronounced now and the same would be done on November 3.He said "CBI itself has said the bail can be granted."To a query, he said Congress President Sonia Gandhi had enquired about Kanimozhi who is lodged in Tihar jail.On the delay in granting her bail, Karunanidhi said he did not see any political background on the issue.Asked how his daughter was, he said "she is mentally strong despite losing weight."During his meeting with Manmohan Singh, he said he had demanded that the three Rajiv Gandhi assassins Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan be set free as they had already undergone imprisonment for over 20 years.He had requested the Prime Minister to take steps in this regard though the AIADMK government had not passed any cabinet resolution on this regard, he said. The Prime Minister gave a hearing to him when he raised the issue, the DMK president noted. To another question on a Delhi court reserving orders on Kanimozhi's bail plea for November 3, he said, "lets hope for the best."On the controversial Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project, Karunanidhi said he had told the Prime Minister that the apprehensions of the local people should be addressed.The project should be implemented without affecting the interest of the people there, he added.While taking up the Sri Lankan Tamils issue with the Prime Minister, Karunanidhi said he also highlighted the spate of attacks on Indian fishermen, "with proof and instances."On the outcome of the civic elections, he said his party had polled more votes alone than with allies Congress and VCK.Asked about his party's alliance with Congress, Karunanidhi recalled that he had explained it earlier, referring to his statement that the alliance with the national party was meant for Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.Replying to a question whether DMK would go alone in the backdrop of its increased voting percentage in the civic polls, Karunanidhi said that the party's senior leaders should be consulted on the issue.On Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's allegation over the Centre's alleged "step-motherly" treatment to states, he said, "This is the core of regional autonomy. It is surprising to see that those who made fun of us when we said this repeating the same thing now."
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