Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has said she was against bringing the Prime Minister under the Lokpal's ambit as it would undermine his authority and pave way for a 'parallel government'.
"The Prime Minister should be excluded from the purview of the bill as he is already covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the CBI can investigate," she said in an interview on Monday.
Expressing fears that the bill could be used by foreign powers to 'destabilise' the nation, she said if the Prime Minister was included under the Bill, he cannot function as he would have to focus more on defending himself against the
accusations.
"It would seriously dent the Prime Minister's authority even if charges were proved wrong. The Prime Minister will be put on the defensive and he has to constantly defend himself," she said but added that the state government will give its opinion on this issue only after getting the final draft which would be tabled in Parliament.
Jayalalithaa, who had made a sensational offer of support of her party - AIADMK - to the Congress last November in case of DMK pulling out in connection with the 2G spectrum scam, however, said she was not supporting any individual.
"I am not supporting any individual but the institution. Unless he is wrested with full powers, he cannot function. Nothing should erode or undermine the Prime Minister's authority," she said.
On last year's offer of support to Congress, Jayalalithaa said it was a 'one-time offer', made in a particular context to Congress, implying it was only in the case of DMK pulling out.
It was meant to assure Congress-led UPA coalition especially in the wake of feeling perhaps it was 'hesitating' to take action on former Telecom Minister A Raja due to 'coalition compulsions', she said.
"But Congress made it clear that its alliance with DMK continued, and even after losing elections. Why Congress did not accept the offer, they are the best judge," she said.
Jayalalithaa also made it clear that there was no proposal to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi, as "it is not appropriate to do so", when her party was still in alliance with the DMK.
The UPA Chairperson had greeted Jayalalithaa on her resounding victory after the April 13 polls.
On a 'larger role' in Delhi and national politics, she said she had no such ambitions but insisted that she will perform well in whatever responsibility entrusted to her.
"I take life as it comes. I never planned for a career in politics, never ever thought of becoming Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. I did not want to become either but somehow I became," she said.
Jayalalithaa said she had an ambition for the country, of India becoming the superpower.
"We have the potential. We have to have a strong and patriotic leader at the helm of affairs for this purpose," she said.
On issues such as working with Congress and prospects of its general secretary Rahul Gandhi becoming Prime Minister, she evaded a direct reply but said she will deal with it "when the situation arises."
The 63-year-old leader also indicated she had 'matured' over the years and was willing to work with the Centre to ensure the state's welfare.
On Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi participating in her swearing-in ceremony, Jayalalithaa said he had returned the compliment as she had participated in his swearing-in.
She said Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit meeting her were 'courtesy calls', describing them as
'charming and gracious' ladies.
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