After hailing Sonia Gandhi's decision not to become prime minister as 'good' a fortnight ago, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has now said that there is "no change" in her opposition to anyone of foreign origin ruling India.
"My statements are on record. There is no change in my stand," the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief told Karan Thapar's 'Hardtalk' programme on BBC.
Refusing to 'discuss Mrs Gandhi in the interview' as she had the 'choice to pick and choose the questions', Jayalalithaa said, "Yes, I am quite consistent. Not just Mrs Gandhi (but) any person of foreign origin should not become prime minister."
Asked to comment on media reports that she turned against Gandhi in 2003 and was now saying nice things about the Congress president, Jayalalithaa said, "I have not said any such nice things. All that I said was I did not make any personal attacks and I have no reason to make any personal attacks.
"What happened during the parliamentary polls was an electoral confrontation and not a personal confrontation. My feelings on the issue of a person of foreign origin ruling the country are well known", she said.
During the interview, she talked about a range of subjects, including her party's failure to get any seat in the May elections, her treatment of her predecessor Karunanidhi, her frequent Cabinet reshuffle and MLAs who habitually prostrate in front of her.