Credited to be the most active MP in the Rajya Sabha, CPI national secretary D. Raja remains an important Dalit voice in Parliament. As a leader from Tamil Nadu who has made it big at the national level, he talks about the third front experiment, the ideological erosion of the Dravidian parties and the foundations being laid for a pan-India Left-Ambedkarite coalition. Excerpts:
While there is difference over who the winner will be, opinion polls are unanimous that the Left-engineered ‘third front’ has no big prospects in the elections. Has the idea failed to reach the people?
Psephology is a developing science in India. Opinion polls here have not been accurate given the extraordinary diversity in the population. Achieving right representation is tough. Though I don’t blame the media entirely, the instances of paid news that we have seen in the last few years have undermined the credibility of these opinion polls completely. The people are not ready to trust them entirely.
But there is a wide perception that the DMDK-PWF campaign does not have the same vigour as it had a few months ago. Don’t you think a big loss will undermine the very idea of an alternative in Tamil Nadu?
I do not agree with that perception. If anything, there has been an overwhelming support to our front since it is the only credible alternative on the ground. The people are tired of the 50 years of rule by the Dravidian parties. The very fact that we have made people think that they now have a choice and that a formation of an alternative front is possible in Tamil Nadu is a victory for us. The results will show you how we have made great inroads.
DMK president M. Karunanidhi maintains that the people of Tamil Nadu do not prefer a coalition government. How do you see his position since you have promised a coalition government if you win?
While Mr. Karunanidhi does not mind an alliance to fight the polls, he has a problem with forming a coalition government after polls. I see this as contradictory and irrational. The position of the DMK and the AIADMK that a coalition government is not necessary stems from their urge to maintain monopoly over political power in Tamil Nadu. The moment you agree to provide access to power to other parties, there is a fear that a new strong alternative will emerge. We, on the other hand, feel a coalition would diversify the representation in government and help bring to the fore the issues of marginalised people. At the Centre, we have seen coalition politics become the norm in the last three decades. It has certainly improved the functioning of the Central government.
But why do you think it is possible to unseat the Dravidian parties, who are still going strong?
I think the third front has become a necessity in this historical junction. The Dravidian parties have exhausted themselves ideologically. They have nothing new to offer the people. The AIADMK has, in fact, moved away from the Dravidian ideals. By focussing on freebies, these parties have also accepted their failure to increase the purchasing power of the people. We have attempted something unique. The front has the Left and the VCK. This Left-Ambedkarite coalition is the answer to the neo-liberal, majoritarian onslaught we are seeing today. The DMDK and the MDMK are the face of the churning that is taking place in the Dravidian movement. If you see their functioning, they are also committed to moving towards an egalitarian society.
Why is the Congress acceptable to you in West Bengal but not in Tamil Nadu?
West Bengal does not have the DMK and the AIADMK. The situation there is different and we are fighting the authoritarian attitude of the Trinamool Congress. In Tamil Nadu, by aligning with the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), we are forcing the Congress to rethink its policies. Like the MDMK and DMDK in the Dravidian movement, the TMC is a strong reaction to the Congress’s failure in correcting its course.
