Arun Jaitley meets Jayalalithaa

Chennai: BJP leader Arun Jaitley today met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and discussed several issues of "common interest". Jaitley`s meeting with the AIADMK supremo assumes significance against the backdrop of the forthcoming Presidential elections where the regional parties are likely to play a crucial role.

While reports suggested that Congress could be cosying up to Jayalalithaa, there was speculation that BJP may also make attempts to woo her. Jaitley, however, said that it was a courtesy call.

"Obviously we discussed several issues of common interest and currently one of the common interest issues between several political parties is the issue of federalism which we find is being seriously encroached by the Central government", he told reporters after his meeting with Jayalalithaa. Replying to a question, Jaitley said the stand of some Chief Ministers on the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and that of BJP was a common one.