In a twist to the controversy over the alleged attack by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam workers on Mani Shankar Aiyar, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday alleged that the Congress MP "abused" her in "filthy and unprintable language" and absolved her partymen of any blame.
She said the attack, after an official function in Nagapattinam near Tamil Nadu-Pondicherry border, was "stage-managed" to gain political mileage and public sympathy.
"Only a police investigation will reveal what really transpired. Prematurely condemning AIADMK men before the results of the investigation are known is both unjust and unfair," she said in Chennai.
Meanwhile, Aiyar and Tamil Nadu Congress leaders on Wednesday met Governor Ramamohan Rao and demanded "restoration" of law and order and "constitutional" government in the state.
Aiyar also called on Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M Karunanidhi in Chennai and thanked him for condemning the attack.
Aiyar dismissed as "blatant lie" Jayalalithaa's charge that he had abused her.
"I have never used any objectionable word against her and I have great regard for women, being the father of three daughters. There is no need for me to use such a language", he said.
Karunanidhi said the attack was yet another example of how democracy was being destroyed.
"The central government should look into this," he said.