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Karunanidhi supports arch rival Jayalalithaa

In a rare instance of support to his arch rival Jayalalithaa, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief and former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi on Saturday suggested that the Centre should send invitations to all chief ministers for swearing-in ceremonies of presidents and prime ministers.

"The Centre should change the existing practice. Invitations should be voluntary and should not be obtained upon applications," he told newsmen in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has raised a storm over her exclusion from the list of invitees for President A P J Abdul Kalam's swearing-in ceremony.

Karunanidhi said he has not doubt in his mind that a state's rights must be protected. That was why, he added, he had fought with the Centre and got the right to participate in the Independence Day ceremonies when he was the chief minister. The privilege was earlier reserved only for governors.

PTI

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