Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priyaranjan Dasmunsi on Monday ruled out the dismissal of the Tamil Nadu government.
The Supreme Court on Monday morning sent out a stern caution to the Tamil Nadu government for flouting its order as Chief Minister M Karunanidhi sat on a day-long hunger strike.
Public transport was off the road and shutters were downed in most cities.
The court had asked why the Centre did not consider dismissing the government and imposing President's rule in response to the DMK's attitude.
"The issue was not discussed by the Union cabinet. But I can tell you that there is no question of dismissing the Tamil Nadu government," Munshi said.
He lost his cool when another scribe repeated the question. "We are the partners of DMK in UPA and not of the AIADMK," he said.
He found nothing wrong in the chief minister sitting on a hunger strike. "He is a great leader and he was simply emulating the Gandhian tradition of expressing his resentment," he added.