Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today said Tamil Nadu may require extra forces which the Union Home Ministry will be ready to put on standby whenever they are required.

The Union minister of state for home affairs said the Centre cannot intervene on its own but is willing to send extra forces to Tamil Nadu if the state asks for it.

"They haven't asked anything formally,' Rijiju said, adding that the state has a significant number of central forces.

"If there is a law and order situation then the Centre is always willing to send extra forces. It is our primary duty to ensure that the state is being helped in whatever possible way they require.

"Because of the prevailing health condition of the Chief Minister (Jayalalithaa) they may require extra forces which the home ministry will be ready to be put on standby, whenever and whatever they require," the minister said.

He, however, said the Centre 'cannot intervene on its own'.