Meanwhile, the Chief Minister took credit today for the “DMK’s role” in averting a crisis at the Centre. In a statement issued a day after he wrote to the PM and Sonia Gandhi praising them for their “decision”, he said: “I am compelled to state humbly that we can also be proud that we played a part in reaching this sound decision, as we have our share of responsibility in the UPA government.”

Warning UPA constituents to be vigilant, he said: “Let none of us make any wrong calculation that communal and regressive forces have been fully silenced. We should remain vigilant.”

“History would indelibly record that Singh and Gandhi deserved all praise and fame for arriving at a decision that comforted everyone.” The decision, he said, came at a time when “selfish forces were out to destroy the social fabric.”