Tamil film actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth has heaped accolades on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha for the good work done by her government in flood relief, leading to speculation that he may side with her for the forthcoming assembly polls.

"12 Union ministers from Tamil Nadu have not been working together to convince the Centre and get more funds allotted for flood relief in Tamil Nadu," Vijayakanth told reporters on Sunday.

"It is the duty of the 40 MPs from Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry to take steps to get the due funds released from the Centre for the state", he said after inaugurating the headquarters of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), a political forum he had launched in September.

Vijayakanth, however, was all praise for the state's All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government's handling of the situation after floods his the coastal parts of the state this month, paralysing normal life for several days.

"The State government has been taking quick and prompt measures in providing flood relief," he said.

Vijaykanth criticised the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) leaders for seeking accounts of relief disbursement after the tsunami disaster of December 2005, saying, "it is unfortunate that a few are politicising such serious issues. It is a wonder why these men have not demanded such accounts a few months ago. The timing of their demands is ridiculous."

The demand for the relief accounts came after the Election Commission had announced that Tamil Nadu would hold assembly elections in the next six months.

Though Vijayakanth did not name P. Chidambaram, his reference was clearly to the union finance minister from Tamil Nadu, who has been engaged in a spat with Jayalalitha over the accounting of tsunami relief fund.

"We are geared up to face the assembly polls. We will contest more than 120 seats," Vijayakanth said.