Chennai, Jan 21 : Opposition AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa today disputed DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's claim that the Congress leadership finally accedes to his demands after initial hesitations In a statement here, she recalled Mr Karunanidhi's speech at a function in which he gave an elucidation about the nature of his relationship with the Congress Party over the years.

Quoting the DMK leader, Ms Jayalalithaa said ''whenever he (Mr Karunanidhi) makes a request to the Congress, its leadership initially hesitates. But later it accedes.'' Disputing his remarks, Ms Jayalalithaa accused him of betraying the interests of the State by not pressing the State's rights with the Centre on a host of issues, including the inter-state river water disputes, attack on fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, killing of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka and the escalating prices of essential commodities.