DMK leader and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has described the upcoming Assembly election as a fight between Tamil Nadu and Delhi, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed it a crucial election to end corruption and dynastic politics in the State. How important is this election from the point of view of the IUML?
Every election is important, as it is held once in five years. As far as this election is concerned, I think the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance is at the forefront of progress on all fronts. Over the past five years, all sections of the people – especially women, labourers, the poor and the minorities – have received support or benefit in one way or the other under the Dravidan Model government led by Mr. Stalin. Usually, in the run-up to elections, the Opposition will point out many shortcomings in governance; but there are not many against this government.
There have been allegations of corruption and poor law and order…
Law and order is an issue that is always raised. The government is taking action. Generally speaking, there are not many shortcomings in this government. Corruption is pervasive across the country.
Mr. Modi had alleged that all the corrupt money flows to one family in the State. Your view?
How could it be so? There is corruption from the lower levels to the top. Is there no corruption in the Union government? Are there no corruption charges against the Centre? The Prime Minister is talking politics; he is not speaking the truth. He is saying so many things for the sake of politics. For corruption to be eradicated, the people have to change.
But how could we justify corruption?
I am not justifying corruption. But corruption breeds from the bottom, and the people have to ensure that they put an end to it. Otherwise, it would just be empty talk.
The IUML has been a long-standing ally of the DMK. Yet, you have been allotted only two seats in the DMK alliance, though you had sought five. Have your party cadre accepted this?
In Tamil Nadu, we have allied mostly with the DMK since the days of Anna (former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai), because he proclaimed, ‘Ondre kulam, oruvanae thevan’ (One clan, one god) as their ideology. Thirumoolar had said the same, and the Quran too affirms this. So, we have a long ideological and emotional relationship with the DMK.
But allocation of seats depends on the situation. Previously, the IUML was the only party representing Muslims. But now, many parties seeking to represent the community have emerged. Even in the DMK-led alliance, there are three or four such parties. In those days, there were only four or five parties in an alliance. But now, there are more than 20 parties, and we were told that all partners, including the DMK, had to make sacrifices. So, we agreed.
Hasn’t this caused dissatisfaction among the cadres of the allies?
No doubt, there is dissatisfaction. Even members of our community have expressed disappointment. But we are pacifying them.
Won’t this dissatisfaction affect the alliance at the ground level?
No, because all the parties in the alliance believe that the DMK alone can stand up to the BJP government at the Centre. The DMK is firm on upholding justice and highlighting the wrongdoings of the Union government. It fights for the rights of Tamil Nadu and the principles of federalism. The allies know this, and that is why they are content (with what they have). There may be dissatisfaction over allocation of seats, but that does not mean the allies would not work for the victory of the alliance. They feel the DMK-led alliance has to win for the sake of Tamil Nadu, and for their own sake, too.
Where is the need to expand the alliance by causing heartburn among the existing partners?
Mr. Stalin wants to take everybody along, and he has succeeded in doing so. This is a welcome approach and a strategy to strengthen the alliance. It will also be a victorious strategy.
How do you view the TVK’s entry into politics?
They are yet to prove themselves in elections. Mr. Vijay seems to enjoy support among the youth, including women, since he has a large fan base in cinema.
But there is speculation that he could split the minority votes…
There will be no such split. The TVK may have supporters among Muslims, as does any other party. But it does not represent the community at large. Its entry will not affect the DMK alliance. The IUML is the only party that traditionally represents the Muslim community.
There is criticism that the DMK instigates Tamil sentiment only to deflect attention from its shortcomings…
The DMK has been fighting for the cause of Tamil language, culture, and heritage for a long time, and continues to do so. This is not empty rhetoric.
What is the IUML’s stand on the Thirupparankundram issue?
There has been no problem between the dargah and the temple all along. We have to go by the court’s verdict on the issue of lighting of the lamp on the deepathoon (pillar).
But the issue is that the government has failed to implement the court’s directive…
That is an issue between the court and the government. Muslims and Hindus are living as brothers and sisters there. Even in the Babri Masjid issue, we had said it was the responsibility of every citizen of the country to respect the Supreme Court verdict, even if it was not acceptable to us.
The IUML has raised certain demands such as increasing reservation for Muslims…
We want the 3.5% reservation, introduced by Kalaignar (former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi), to be increased to 5%.
Another important demand we have raised is the issuance of pattas for all dargahs, pallivasals, and kabarsthans across the State that do not have the document. They [DMK] have agreed to do so.
What do you think will be the main factor that will help the DMK retain power?
Over the past five years, Mr. Stalin’s government has reached out to all sections of the people. This has been widely appreciated by the people, especially women. The people have faith in the Chief Minister, and there is no anti-incumbency sentiment against the regime.
