Before the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK)-led People’s Welfare Front, which included the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the CPI, the CPI(M) and the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), was expected to pose a serious challenge to the two major parties — the AIADMK and the DMK. However, not only did the Front fail to open its account, but many of its partners also saw a significant erosion of their vote base.Vaiko, the PWF convener and leader of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), says the outcome was not unexpected. “I was fully prepared for the defeat. I told my cadre and candidates that probably VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan and DMDK leader Vijayakant could win, but the prospects of our party candidates were bleak,” he tellsB. Kolappanin an exclusive interview. Excerpts:
A sense of shock and surprise prevails in the PWF camp over the defeat. Did you see it coming?
Yes, particularly during the last three days of the campaign. The enthusiasm and response that marked my earlier campaign was missing among the voters in the last phase.
I have been taking part in elections since 1967 and I could judge the people’s mood. I told my cadre that we were drawing a blank.
Why did you quit the race in Kovilpatti?
I mulled over the issue a whole day before taking the decision. There was a definite plan to incite communal clashes in the constituency and I did not want the voters to suffer on my account. Even if I had contested, I would have lost. The DMK and the AIADMK would have gone to the extent of distributing Rs. 5,000 per vote to defeat me.
What are the factors that worked against the PWF in the elections?
Money wrought havoc and there was a tacit agreement between the DMK and the AIADMK at the ground level when it came to distributing money and fixing a suitable time for the purpose. I could understand had poor voters accepted money. But this time, even the middle class and rich people accepted it without any inhibitions. I am ashamed of the state of affairs in Tamil Nadu. We can easily overcome external problems such as inter-State river disputes, methane project and the Sri Lankan Tamil issue. Tamil Nadu has failed the definition of an ideal State by falling prey to internal threats including corruption, misgovernance and political nepotism.
You are being accused of being instrumental in the defeat of the DMK…
I was part of the DMK and toiled hard for 29 years. I am probably the only politician in the country who was expelled on the allegation of planning to assassinate his own leader. I have no words to express the agonising moments I underwent. Irrespective of these allegations, at times, I have extended an olive branch to the DMK. I attended the marriage of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi’s grandson. But in 2004, the DMK leadership mortgaged the four MPs of the MDMK to secure berths for it in the Congress-led UPA government. If Congress leader Sonia Gandhi or former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh deny my charge, I will quit politics.
Even when the DMK poached my party leaders, I did not bother. But I cannot digest their role in the decimation of the Sri Lankan Tamils. The DMK leaders’ hands are soaked in the blood of Sri Lankan Tamils. Jayalalithaa rooted out the LTTE in the State. But her hand is not soaked in blood.
You could not win despite forming a front that was seen as a solid alliance. Why?
The media and political observers predicted that the PWF would be formidable if Mr. Vijayakant and TMC leader G.K. Vasan became our partners. But the moment Mr. Vijayakant joined us, he was subjected to ridicule, and there was negative publicity. We did not expect the media to give us front-page coverage. But at least they could have allotted the space we deserved. Even the decision of 94 farmers’ associations to support our front was not highlighted in the media. I hope the media will warm up to us at least in the future.
