External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee [Images] on Saturday refuted allegations that the Congress was providing space to regional parties in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi [Images], Mukherjee said, "Congress is not providing space to smaller regional parties."

Mukherjee cited the example of how parties like Swatantra Party have disappeared from the electoral scene after it failed to get adequate number of votes and was derecognised by the Election Commission.

Talking about the Tamil civilians trapped in Sri Lanka [Images], Mukherjee said, "We have asked the Sri Lankan government to ensure their safety and security. We have asked the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to talk to the Sri Lankan government and find a solution that is mutually acceptable to both sides without disturbing the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka."