DMDK president Vijayakant, the most sought after man this political season, is categorical that his party would not align with either of the major Dravidian parties for the next Assembly Poll. In a no-holds barred interview toThe Hindu, Vijayakant, who is in Tirupur, is also critical of the PMK, thereby hinting that he may lead an alternative front.
Excerpts:
The Hindu:Your party has entered its second decade. How do you view its position after the reverses in last year’s Lok Sabha election?
Today, people consider us as the best alternative to the two Dravidian parties that have ruled Tamil Nadu for close to half-a-century. We do not have the blemish of corruption. Tell me, which party has successfully emerged with a 10 per cent vote share in the recent past in Tamil Nadu and that too contesting alone against the AIADMK and DMK? This shows the support we have. I have faith that the people will give us a bigger victory soon.
When you launched the DMDK in 2005, opposing the two principal parties was the primary aim. Why did you waver in 2011?
You need to understand the circumstance that prevailed then. The entire Tamil Nadu was reeling under the corrupt regime of the DMK. There was widespread misuse of power and partymen were acting like satraps. It was in this situation that I consulted my cadres at a conference in Salem. The cadres wanted me to align with the AIADMK to defeat the DMK. We achieved that target. Remember, while we consider both the parties the same, in 2011 we decided to weaken one enemy at a time. But we raised our voice in the Assembly when the electoral promises were not kept.
Do you think your decision in 2011 adversely affected the party? Your vote share slipped in 2014...
It is true some of our MLAs were drawn to the other side. But my partymen stayed with me. They were not able to poach my district secretaries. Further, if we have weakened, why target the DMDK often? Will anyone target a weak person? This shows the importance of DMDK. Our vote base is intact.
The AIADMK Ministers are widely campaigning about the welfare schemes the government has introduced…
They say they have given laptops, cows and goats, and have launched various other schemes. We have time and again asked for a white paper on jobs created. Why are they not willing to come out with a comprehensive reply? On law and order, the High Court has called for CISF protection. What does this say about the police? We all saw what happened in the Namakkal Yuvaraj issue. Also, both parties are highly intolerant of criticism. Ms. Jayalalithaa will strike directly. That credit I give her. Mr. Karunanidhi will embrace you first and then strike.
DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin too is attacking the AIADMK…
Mr. Stalin started the campaign by seeking the forgiveness of people for past mistakes. This means he accepts the DMK indulged in corruption. How can you bring change when your own party is corrupt? If the people give them power again, they will go back to their old ways. Such posturing happens only near elections.
When you step on quicksand, you will go down. This is the case with bringing the DMK back.
Mr. Stalin has said no to the concept of a coalition government…
The DMK wants everyone to come down and hold talks with them but they will stay on a high pedestal. Why can’t they come down once? I say leave me out of your game. I have taken a different route. When we no longer trust Mr. Karunanidhi himself, how could we trust Mr. Stalin? The DMDK will fight both the parties and will bring a major change in Tamil Nadu. I can assure you this much.
The BJP claims you are still in the NDA. Could you clarify your position?
We are not in any alliance at the moment. But I would like to say we have not decided on which alliance to join either. I am very clear that we will not align with the DMK or the AIADMK. This is our current position.
Have you replied to the invitation from People’s Welfare Front to join them?
I congratulate them and thank them for the invitation. They did speak to me. But decisions on alliances have to wait for some more time.
The PMK says they are open to an alliance if Anbumani Ramadoss’ CM candidature is accepted. What’s your view?
During the Lok Sabha polls, Dr. Ramadoss (senior) did not campaign for any of the candidates, except his son. We, on the other hand, campaigned and sent our workers everywhere. Can such a party talk about alliance dharma and seek the acceptance of its leadership?
Do you think the PMK’s earlier campaign to unite non-Dalit communities has polarised the State on caste lines?
In the DMDK, we do not conduct our politics based on caste.
For us, everyone is equal. But I would make one point. Parties today invoke Periyar and Ambedkar when it benefits them. But there is no commitment to the values they gave us. The DMDK will stand by Periyar’s views on caste.
