Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said that the debt burden of the state was Rs 74,000 crore only which was much less compared to the neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. In his reply, he denied the charges made by the opposition leader Jayalalitha and said that his government's debt was much manageable. He was giving an interview to the DMK supported 'Murasoli'. “She had alleged that the debt burden was more than Rs. 90,000 crore but the fact is that it is Rs. 74,858 crore. In fact, the debt burden is in excess of Rs. 92,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh and more than Rs. one lakh crore in Maharashtra,”said he for the interview. He also made it clear that the government debts were essential to manage the government expenditure. He said that the total debt and the per capita debt burden was much less compared to other states in India.