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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Monday refuted reports about his quitting active politics describing them as rumors. Interacting with media persons on the sidelines of the World Tamil Conference here Karunanidhi said he never used such a word retire. When asked about his earlier expression that he will make way for his successor after Tamil Conference, Karunanidhi said: "I have never used the word retire anywhere." But when scribes pressed for his announcement that he would work as a normal party worker, Karunanidhi asked "What does that mean?" As reporters asked about his earlier remarks that he will keep aloof from active politics, Karunanidhi said: "This is what you all say, Coimbatore press people." Reacting on reports of holding early elections to the state assembly, he said there was no urgency for early elections. He mentioned that successful Tamil conference would benefit the development of the state. Karunanidhi also downplayed hike in fuel prices and opined that the price hike was less than what was proposed. He said the hike in prices of petroleum, oil and lubricants would not affect the public transportation. "The price rise will result in an additional burden of rupees 1.5 billion to the state government. However, despite this, in the interest of the common man, we have decided not to hike the fares of public transport," said M Karunanidhi.

Karunanidhi dismisses reports of taking political retirement