Finance minister P Chidambaram reacts to DMK chief M Karunanidhi's statement of the need for a dhoti-clad prime minister. Chidambaram said, "I know my limitation and I stay within those limitations. That's my serious answer [to what Karunanidhi said] and on a lighter note, I know some of you think I am foolish, but I am not so foolish."

Lavishing praise on Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, DMK chief M Karunanidhi at a function in Chennai a few days ago, said he was among the few who had a place in his heart as the senior Congress leader was virtually projected by some speakers at a function as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate.

The DMK patriarch himself made a reference in his speech to the loud applauses and cheers from the audience whenever speakers expressed their wish to see a ''dhoti-clad'' Tamilian occupying the Prime Minister''s post, an apparent reference to Chidambaram.

Calling Chidambaram one of the few who had a "place in my heart," Karunanidhi traced his political career starting as a Minister of State in the early 1980s till his present position. "What next? You (the audience) have expressed your aspirations through your applause and cheers.

Some speakers spoke about a dhoti-clad Tamilian becoming Prime Minister. So, that also answers the question regarding a saree-wearing Tamil becoming Prime Minister," he said in an apparent reference to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa
who has also set her eyes on a bigger role at the national level.

Chidambaram sat in the front row among the audience and did not speak at the function where Karunanidhi released the book titled "Chidambaram: Oru Paarvai", a compilation of speeches by various personalities about the Congress leader.