Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who is on a day-long fast, demanding speedy completion of Sethusamudram project, on Monday said his party and its allies in the Democratic Progressive Alliance have complied with directions of the Madras high court, when it declined to stay the bandh call given by the DPA in the state.

Addressing a gathering in front of the fast venue, he said, "When we were making arrangements to observe a bandh after complying with the court's directives, the Supreme Court stayed the bandh. We decided to observe a peaceful fast to express our feelings. We cannot be stopped from expressing our opinion. We had no other go," he said.

"We will abide by the courts, as we are law abiding citizens," he said, without mentioning the strictures passed by the Supreme Court on Monday.

He said the name of Lord Ram was being unnecessarily dragged in by some parties to stall the project.