Alleging that there was a deliberate attempt by a section of his opponents to project the DMK as anti-God and anti-Hindu, party president M.K. Stalin on Sunday said that those who could not face the socio-economic and political ideas of the DMK were indulging in the mischievous campaign. Insisting that the BJP was a non-entity in Tamil Nadu’s politics, he said the DMK would work against the idea of one nation, one party and one-man rule of Narendra Modi. Excerpts from an interview :
What are the challenges before you as the newly elected president of the DMK?
The post was held by Kalaignar after the demise of Perarignar Anna. I was trained by Kalaignar , who ‘borrowed’ Anna’s heart. I have been continuously working for the society and to uphold the principles of the party. Kalaignar had described me as the personification of hard work. The party has given me the confidence that I can use my hard work as a capital and face any challenge.
New political parties headed by actors are emerging. What is the DMK’s action plan under these circumstances?
In a new democratic country, anyone can enter politics or launch a political party. With the support of the people, the DMK will stand, holding its head high. The DMK will be at the forefront of the struggle against the anti-people BJP and the AIADMK, and will expose their corruption. The party will strike the first and last blow against the anti-people governments and their rule.
You took a stand on God in the party’s general council for the first time. Was it because you feel that it is difficult to run a campaign against God and religion, especially after the BJP’s growth?
I would like to give a detailed reply. Anna proclaimed that there was “one God and one race”. He also said, “I would not break Pillaiyar , nor will I break coconut for him.” Kalaignar had reiterated this point many times. But a section is deliberately suppressing these facts and seeking to portray us as atheist and anti-Hindu. Kalaignar always had a non-partisan approach. He was not against faith in God or in religion (as his actions in government would prove). When I spoke about God, I kept in mind the ideas of Anna and Kalaignar . Contrary to your assumption, the DMK has never preached against God and religion.
Those who could not directly face the socio-economic and political ideas of the DMK are indulging in a mischievous campaign to portray the DMK as anti-God and anti-Hindu. The DMK has campaigned against those who propagate communalism and fundamentalism with a view to destroying pluralism and communal harmony and those who seek to divide the nation. It will do the same in the future also. I can only laugh at your suggestion that the BJP has grown. You ask neutral people to find out whether it is growing or declining.
National leaders who participated in Karunanidhi’s memorial meeting have urged you to take the lead in national politics. How are you going to take up the role?
All secular and democratic forces should come together as a single force to defeat the communal BJP at the Centre. I will follow the successful formulas adopted by Kalaignar in the past. There are national and regional parties and we have to ensure that their votes are not frittered away. I will make all efforts to bring together all parties under the slogan ‘Defeat BJP, Destroy Fascism’ to protect the pluralism of the country and the rights of the States and languages. There are many nationalities, cultures and customs. The question is whether we need one or many. Progressive forces should work unitedly to find an answer.
On the one hand, you castigate the BJP, and on the other, you invited BJP leaders for Kalaignar’s memorial meeting. Are you keeping the door open for the BJP in the eventuality of the party not getting a majority after the next Lok Sabha polls?
It is inappropriate to assume that the DMK is keeping the door open just because the BJP leaders participated in the meeting. When Kalaignar was not well, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu visited him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage after his demise. That was why we invited the BJP leaders.There is not even an iota of politics in all these.
Some people are sowing imaginary stories in media and public forums with the motive of bringing the BJP and the DMK together. This will never happen. Mr. Modi is pushing the idea of “one nation and one party” along with “one-man rule” while destroying the pluralistic nature of India. The DMK will always oppose the BJP’s communalism and fascist approach.
Do you think that the AIADMK government will complete its tenure?
People do not think that there is a government. I share their opinion. They are running the government like a private sector company at Fort St. George to make money and to create benami companies to drain the State’s coffers. There is a competition among Ministers in swindling and the State is witnessing negative growth in all sectors. People want this government’s tenure to end.
You are blaming the BJP for protecting the AIADMK government. But Central agencies are conducting raids on Ministers and officials…
Organisations like the CBI, the Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate are being used with clear political motives. The raids are dramas and are meant to threaten the AIADMK government. Only time will tell if the raids are aimed at splitting the AIADMK or bringing the factions together for the purpose of electoral alliance or to pacify the people who are angry with the State government. They could also be carrying out the raids to create an impression that the BJP is functioning in an impartial manner. Only raids are conducted, and there is no further action.
It appears the DMK is weak in western Tami Nadu. This led to the party’s defeat in the 2016 Assembly election. How are you going to remedy the situation?
The DMK had a direct contest with the AIADMK in 172 constituencies in 2016. We won in 82 constituencies. The AIADMK lost its deposit in two while we retained our deposit in all the constituencies. The difference in the votes polled between the AIADMK and the DMK was just 1%. The party is as strong in the western region as it is in other parts of the State.
How do you see your son Udhayanidhi’s political entry?
He did not enter politics now. He has always been in politics. If a person is in the DMK, his entire family is part of the party. If you study the party closely, you would find that from grandfather to great-grandson, all have been members of the party. The DMK is like a banana plant constantly producing saplings for the organisation. So, if a son and father are part of the party, there is nothing surprising about it.
(For the full interview, visit http://bit.ly/Stalin-
