‘Why should I support a convict’

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Su. Thirunavukkarasar , who is being accused by critics of being soft on jailed AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala, denies that he is supporting her in any way. In an interview with The Hindu on Monday, the TNCC leader unambiguously declared that Sasikala was a convict who did not have his support. Excerpts:

There is a feeling that you have rallied behind Sasikala from the beginning. Even a section of Congress leaders believe so. What’s your response?

I was not supporting any individual, but the tenets of the Constitution. If someone is elected as the leader of the legislature party, the person should be invited to form the government. Sasikala was elected as the leader at the AIADMK MLAs’ meeting and Mr. O. Panneerselvam was also present. But I did not insist on my demand when it was announced that the Supreme Court would deliver its verdict in a week. Why would I support a convict who has been awarded four years imprisonment. She also cannot contest elections for the next 10 years. If Jayalalithaa were to be alive, she would have also faced a similar situation. Later, I supported (Chief Minister) Edappadi K. Palaniswami and urged the Governor to invite him to form the government at the earliest to prevent possible horse trading. But the BJP was not ready to follow the principles of the Constitution. Even in Tamil Nadu, it is seeking to control the government with the help of some people.

Who are the people you are talking about?

After Jayalalithaa’s death, the BJP tried to get some control over the government. It was particular about getting support during the Presidential elections. The BJP started it with Mr. Panneerselvam. When it failed, it started doing the same with Mr. Edappadi K Palaniswami. The BJP wants a friendly or a submissive government in Tamil Nadu.

Do you think Jayalalithaa’s death has caused a political vacuum?

Personally, I feel after her death, there is a vacuum in the leadership. Even DMK president M. Karunanidhi is no longer active. But the organisational structure of the AIADMK and the DMK continues to remain there. As far as the DMK is concerned, Mr. Stalin has almost taken over the leadership. He may even do better as a leader. It may also apply to Mr. Palaniswami. But we have to wait and see how they are going to perform.

Can the Congress make use of the leadership vacuum?

We are the third largest party and have presence throughout the State unlike many caste and sub-regional outfits. If we worked in a united manner, there is a scope for the Congress’s emergence. We have cadre and vote bank. But we need to build the organisation at all levels. When we talk about Kamaraj rule, it really appeals to voters. We have to take it to the people.

Are you for maintaining equidistance between the DMK and AIADMK?

DMK is our alliance partner but that does not mean that we should follow all its programmes. I think the DMK also does not expect us to behave in a manner that would suit them. If you behave according to the whims of an alliance partner, you cannot build your own party. As a national party, we have to take into consideration the advice of the party high command.

On Sunday, senior Congress leaders P. Chidambaram, E.V.K.S. Elangovan and Peter Alphonse attended a public meeting in Chennai. You were absent. Were you invited?

I was informed. I was away at Tirunelveli attending the conference of the Indian Union Muslim League. The TNCC president cannot attend meeting organised in all the 234 constituencies. It is not a big deal. As far as the Congress is concerned, there is enough space for inner-party democracy, and leaders are free to express their view so long as it does not affect the party.