Having performed a eager half within the INDIA bloc formation and a subsequent marketing campaign whereby he launched the ‘Talking for India’ sequence to nationalise Dravidian pleasure, Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president M Okay Stalin denies having any ambition for a nationwide function. In an interview to Jaya Menon, the CM says, “If I need to reply within the phrases of my father-leader of the Kazhagam, ‘I do know my top’.” Excerpts:
How would you assess the prospects of INDIA bloc and DMK-led alliance within the Lok Sabha polls?
Folks of India have ready themselves to deliver a change in Union govt.The autumn of BJP has begun. Modi is in search of a 3rd time period, however individuals, deceived twice, will disappoint him this time. INDIA bloc will kind the subsequent govt. In TN, INDIA bloc led by DMK will sweep the polls.
What do you see as strengths and weaknesses of INDIA bloc, NDA? What helped NDA’s success and Congress’s defeat up to now two elections?
Prior to now two elections, NDA constructed a picture round Modi and gained by projecting it. BJP even used the martyrdom of Indian jawans in Pulwama for electoral politics. Nonetheless, TN developed the system to defeat Modi and BJP in 2019. Progressive forces united as an ideological alliance to tackle BJP’s communal politics and gained 39 of 40 seats in TN and Puducherry. Of this, Congress gained 9. BJP was left with out a seat in TN. INDIA bloc is an growth of that system.
Katchatheevu problem is simmering once more.
The BJP govt, which didn’t safeguard the welfare of TN fishermen, is raking up the Katchatheevu problem to cover its failures and divert consideration. However Modi has not taken motion to fulfil the demand I positioned earlier than him in a public discussion board, in my capability as CM, to retrieve Katchatheevu. BJP’s drama has been uncovered by the assertion of a Sri Lankan minister that Katchatheevu was not taken up for dialogue.
Forward of 2019 LS polls, you proposed Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate. What about this time?
Rahul Gandhi stays a trusted younger chief. Leaders in our alliance together with Rahul are specializing in methods to defeat BJP. Morarji Desai and Manmohan Singh turned prime ministers in 1977 and 2004 with out being projected as PM candidates? This election is extra about who mustn’t develop into PM relatively than who ought to develop into PM.
Shouldn’t you play a task within the choice?
I’ll contribute my half when the time comes.
What’s your evaluation of Narendra Modi as PM?
Modi has run a govt for 10 years in opposition to democracy and variety. BJP govt doesn’t respect the Structure too. The tendency to smash India’s democratic methods was seen. TN was deceived through the 10-year rule. If Modi, who needs to distort the face of India, isn’t introduced down from energy, will probably be harmful for all.
Your father was hailed as a kingmaker. Do you see your self in the same function?
If I need to reply within the phrases of my father-leader of the Kazhagam, ‘I do know my top’.
You performed a key function in attempting to unite allies of the India Alliance. Thekkilirunthu Oru KuralSpeaking for India.
In Indian politics, it was from the south that the voice of social justice and equality rang loud. South stays a secure haven, giving no room to communal politics. There are leaders within the north with these sentiments. I did the podcast with the intention of integrating north and south to guard India’s democracy. It reached tens of millions and have become a prelude to the electoral marketing campaign. There was a superb affect as my Tamil speech was dubbed in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada and Marathi.
Was it to strengthen the INDIA bloc or have been you a bigger political function?
The work undertaken to construct the INDIA bloc was huge. DMK fights to uphold the rights of states. My actions as DMK president would at all times be on these strains.
How do you foresee the ballot battle in TN this election?
We face the elections assured of victory.
DMK has gained the belief of individuals as a result of the schemes carried out up to now three years have benefitted each household.
Why didn’t you in sist smaller allies reminiscent of VCK and MDMK ought to contest on the ‘Rising Solar’ image?
A political celebration wishing to contest within the image of their selection or that of their alliance accomplice is their proper. Respecting that proper is a democratic character.
How do you counter dynasty politics marketing campaign?
I don’t need to waste time by responding to it. Voting us to victory in each election is the response that folks give to them.
And corruption fees in opposition to your regime?
Give us proof. J Jayalalithaa received punished twice in corruption circumstances, misplaced her publish, was sentenced and despatched to jail in a corruption case when she was chief minister. Has the media referred to her as a corruption queen ever? The Supreme Courtroom has uncovered BJP’s electoral bond rip-off. Does the media have braveness to name Modi ‘corrupt Modi’?
Would you say Udhayanidhi and A Raja might have prevented the Sanatana remarks?
DMK is a motion for individuals of all religions. The celebration features with the social justice precept that folks shouldn’t be discriminated in opposition to based mostly on delivery. Perarignar Anna has guided us with the saying ‘Ondre kulam, oruvane devan’ (One neighborhood, one god). Kalaignar has written ‘Kovil koodathu enbathalla, athu kodiyavargalin koodaram aagi vida koodathu’ (No person is in opposition to temples, however temples mustn’t develop into havens for anti-socials). That’s DMK’s coverage. Those that want to do politics with faith, created a sensation by twisting the speeches of DMK males. However individuals ignored the spin medical doctors since they’re conscious of the reality.
You accuse AIADMK and BJP of getting a ‘secret alliance’. What about AIADMK’s allegation of a DMK-BJP pact?
Palaniswamy doesn’t criticise Modi or his governance. Palaniswamy doesn’t say Modi mustn’t return to energy. I’m saying Palaniswamy has a secret alliance with BJP due to this. Let him reply to those fees.
TN’s relationship with Centre has been turbulent. Was all of it political?
We’ll lengthen our arms for friendship and lift the voice for our rights. That’s the precept that governs DMK’s coverage to Union-state relationship. DMK coordinated with Union govts in issues regarding TN’s curiosity even when leaders from DMK’s rival political fronts reminiscent of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Vajpayee have been PMs. We demanded and received our rights. However Modi govt has not revered the rights of states. It has not granted us required funds. They didn’t assist even throughout disasters reminiscent of floods. Even after I met the PM in individual and insisted, there was no aid. So, the query whether or not the turbulent relationship was political, needs to be posed to the PM, to not the CM right here.
Describe your relations with governor R N Ravi now?
I don’t have any contradictions with governor R N Ravi personally. After minister Ponmudy’s swearingin at Raj Bhavan, I knowledgeable Ravi I used to be going to start my marketing campaign and left solely after receiving his needs. DMK respects the dignity of that publish. However DMK is agency that governor’s excesses can’t be accepted and that the nominated publish of governor isn’t highly effective than the elected state govt.
You met the governor for espresso after a courtroom course. What did you talk about?
Minister Ponmudy’s swearing-in was performed after the Supreme Courtroom order. DMK achieved this solely by means of authorized means. Governor too acted on the instructions of the courtroom. That approach, the swearing-in turned out to be a clean affair.
In today of rising expectations which have develop into insistent calls for, bribing voters has develop into a norm.
Our want is that elections are performed in a good and free method.
Why the choice to surrender your dream for a Pen Memorial?
Since Kalaignar centenary yr started a yr in the past, a number of memorials together with Kalaignar multi-speciality hospital in Chennai and the Kalaignar centenary library in Madurai have been constructed. Memorials might be established on the applicable time.
You will have rolled out pioneering welfare schemes. What would you choose as essentially the most outstanding?
Each scheme rolled out by Dravidian mannequin could be remembered by the individuals as a result of they profit them instantly and assist their uplift. CM’s breakfast scheme, free journey in metropolis buses and 1,000 month-to-month entitlement for ladies, Puthumai Penn and Naan Muthalvan scheme that are firsts for the nation are main amongst them.
Do political ideologies have relevance right now?
Dravidian motion’s basic ideas of social justice, self-respect and linguistic pleasure are at all times related. Solely ideologybased politics maintain.
Children stay tentative, hesitant voters. Do you suppose youthful politicians reminiscent of Udhayanidhi, Vijay, Annamalai can change that?
DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi created political and social consciousness for these under 25 years in all 234 TN meeting constituencies by means of workshops on Dravidian motion. These workshops have been performed after I was youth wing secretary too. Historical past needs to be taught repeatedly. Fact needs to be defined. DMK may even take up this process. It is not going to be applicable to remark about actions of different events, actions.
What would you think about your excessive moments as CM?
There are heaps together with the day I launched the breakfast scheme, the day I gave appointment orders for temple clergymen for varied castes, the day Kalaignar ladies month-to-month money entitlement scheme was launched and the day Naan Mudhalvan scheme was began.
You’re thought-about an accommodating politician, prepared to carry dialogues with rivals.
I’ll have political variations, however I by no means had any private enmity in the direction of anybody. I participated within the swearing-in ceremony of Ammayar Jayalalithaa, after I was mayor of Chennai Company. I handed over tsunami aid to her in individual. When she was present process remedy, I visited her in hospital. I observe the identical follow with different political leaders too. I’m practising what was adopted by Dravidian leaders Periyar, Anna and Kalaignar.
A number of in DMK believed the celebration may need gained in 2016 meeting election had you been projected CM candidate, regardless of the 2G rip-off. You can effectively be attempting for a hattrick in 2026.
I’m not in favour of assumptions. We’ll strike a hattrick by successful 2024 parliamentary election like we gained 2019 and 2021. We’ll proceed to present good governance and the DMK alliance will win the subsequent meeting elections too.
How would you assess the prospects of INDIA bloc and DMK-led alliance within the Lok Sabha polls?
Folks of India have ready themselves to deliver a change in Union govt.The autumn of BJP has begun. Modi is in search of a 3rd time period, however individuals, deceived twice, will disappoint him this time. INDIA bloc will kind the subsequent govt. In TN, INDIA bloc led by DMK will sweep the polls.
What do you see as strengths and weaknesses of INDIA bloc, NDA? What helped NDA’s success and Congress’s defeat up to now two elections?
Prior to now two elections, NDA constructed a picture round Modi and gained by projecting it. BJP even used the martyrdom of Indian jawans in Pulwama for electoral politics. Nonetheless, TN developed the system to defeat Modi and BJP in 2019. Progressive forces united as an ideological alliance to tackle BJP’s communal politics and gained 39 of 40 seats in TN and Puducherry. Of this, Congress gained 9. BJP was left with out a seat in TN. INDIA bloc is an growth of that system.
Katchatheevu problem is simmering once more.
The BJP govt, which didn’t safeguard the welfare of TN fishermen, is raking up the Katchatheevu problem to cover its failures and divert consideration. However Modi has not taken motion to fulfil the demand I positioned earlier than him in a public discussion board, in my capability as CM, to retrieve Katchatheevu. BJP’s drama has been uncovered by the assertion of a Sri Lankan minister that Katchatheevu was not taken up for dialogue.
Forward of 2019 LS polls, you proposed Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate. What about this time?
Rahul Gandhi stays a trusted younger chief. Leaders in our alliance together with Rahul are specializing in methods to defeat BJP. Morarji Desai and Manmohan Singh turned prime ministers in 1977 and 2004 with out being projected as PM candidates? This election is extra about who mustn’t develop into PM relatively than who ought to develop into PM.
Shouldn’t you play a task within the choice?
I’ll contribute my half when the time comes.
What’s your evaluation of Narendra Modi as PM?
Modi has run a govt for 10 years in opposition to democracy and variety. BJP govt doesn’t respect the Structure too. The tendency to smash India’s democratic methods was seen. TN was deceived through the 10-year rule. If Modi, who needs to distort the face of India, isn’t introduced down from energy, will probably be harmful for all.
Your father was hailed as a kingmaker. Do you see your self in the same function?
If I need to reply within the phrases of my father-leader of the Kazhagam, ‘I do know my top’.
You performed a key function in attempting to unite allies of the India Alliance. Thekkilirunthu Oru KuralSpeaking for India.
In Indian politics, it was from the south that the voice of social justice and equality rang loud. South stays a secure haven, giving no room to communal politics. There are leaders within the north with these sentiments. I did the podcast with the intention of integrating north and south to guard India’s democracy. It reached tens of millions and have become a prelude to the electoral marketing campaign. There was a superb affect as my Tamil speech was dubbed in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada and Marathi.
Was it to strengthen the INDIA bloc or have been you a bigger political function?
The work undertaken to construct the INDIA bloc was huge. DMK fights to uphold the rights of states. My actions as DMK president would at all times be on these strains.
How do you foresee the ballot battle in TN this election?
We face the elections assured of victory.
DMK has gained the belief of individuals as a result of the schemes carried out up to now three years have benefitted each household.
Why didn’t you in sist smaller allies reminiscent of VCK and MDMK ought to contest on the ‘Rising Solar’ image?
A political celebration wishing to contest within the image of their selection or that of their alliance accomplice is their proper. Respecting that proper is a democratic character.
How do you counter dynasty politics marketing campaign?
I don’t need to waste time by responding to it. Voting us to victory in each election is the response that folks give to them.
And corruption fees in opposition to your regime?
Give us proof. J Jayalalithaa received punished twice in corruption circumstances, misplaced her publish, was sentenced and despatched to jail in a corruption case when she was chief minister. Has the media referred to her as a corruption queen ever? The Supreme Courtroom has uncovered BJP’s electoral bond rip-off. Does the media have braveness to name Modi ‘corrupt Modi’?
Would you say Udhayanidhi and A Raja might have prevented the Sanatana remarks?
DMK is a motion for individuals of all religions. The celebration features with the social justice precept that folks shouldn’t be discriminated in opposition to based mostly on delivery. Perarignar Anna has guided us with the saying ‘Ondre kulam, oruvane devan’ (One neighborhood, one god). Kalaignar has written ‘Kovil koodathu enbathalla, athu kodiyavargalin koodaram aagi vida koodathu’ (No person is in opposition to temples, however temples mustn’t develop into havens for anti-socials). That’s DMK’s coverage. Those that want to do politics with faith, created a sensation by twisting the speeches of DMK males. However individuals ignored the spin medical doctors since they’re conscious of the reality.
You accuse AIADMK and BJP of getting a ‘secret alliance’. What about AIADMK’s allegation of a DMK-BJP pact?
Palaniswamy doesn’t criticise Modi or his governance. Palaniswamy doesn’t say Modi mustn’t return to energy. I’m saying Palaniswamy has a secret alliance with BJP due to this. Let him reply to those fees.
TN’s relationship with Centre has been turbulent. Was all of it political?
We’ll lengthen our arms for friendship and lift the voice for our rights. That’s the precept that governs DMK’s coverage to Union-state relationship. DMK coordinated with Union govts in issues regarding TN’s curiosity even when leaders from DMK’s rival political fronts reminiscent of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Vajpayee have been PMs. We demanded and received our rights. However Modi govt has not revered the rights of states. It has not granted us required funds. They didn’t assist even throughout disasters reminiscent of floods. Even after I met the PM in individual and insisted, there was no aid. So, the query whether or not the turbulent relationship was political, needs to be posed to the PM, to not the CM right here.
Describe your relations with governor R N Ravi now?
I don’t have any contradictions with governor R N Ravi personally. After minister Ponmudy’s swearingin at Raj Bhavan, I knowledgeable Ravi I used to be going to start my marketing campaign and left solely after receiving his needs. DMK respects the dignity of that publish. However DMK is agency that governor’s excesses can’t be accepted and that the nominated publish of governor isn’t highly effective than the elected state govt.
You met the governor for espresso after a courtroom course. What did you talk about?
Minister Ponmudy’s swearing-in was performed after the Supreme Courtroom order. DMK achieved this solely by means of authorized means. Governor too acted on the instructions of the courtroom. That approach, the swearing-in turned out to be a clean affair.
In today of rising expectations which have develop into insistent calls for, bribing voters has develop into a norm.
Our want is that elections are performed in a good and free method.
Why the choice to surrender your dream for a Pen Memorial?
Since Kalaignar centenary yr started a yr in the past, a number of memorials together with Kalaignar multi-speciality hospital in Chennai and the Kalaignar centenary library in Madurai have been constructed. Memorials might be established on the applicable time.
You will have rolled out pioneering welfare schemes. What would you choose as essentially the most outstanding?
Each scheme rolled out by Dravidian mannequin could be remembered by the individuals as a result of they profit them instantly and assist their uplift. CM’s breakfast scheme, free journey in metropolis buses and 1,000 month-to-month entitlement for ladies, Puthumai Penn and Naan Muthalvan scheme that are firsts for the nation are main amongst them.
Do political ideologies have relevance right now?
Dravidian motion’s basic ideas of social justice, self-respect and linguistic pleasure are at all times related. Solely ideologybased politics maintain.
Children stay tentative, hesitant voters. Do you suppose youthful politicians reminiscent of Udhayanidhi, Vijay, Annamalai can change that?
DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi created political and social consciousness for these under 25 years in all 234 TN meeting constituencies by means of workshops on Dravidian motion. These workshops have been performed after I was youth wing secretary too. Historical past needs to be taught repeatedly. Fact needs to be defined. DMK may even take up this process. It is not going to be applicable to remark about actions of different events, actions.
What would you think about your excessive moments as CM?
There are heaps together with the day I launched the breakfast scheme, the day I gave appointment orders for temple clergymen for varied castes, the day Kalaignar ladies month-to-month money entitlement scheme was launched and the day Naan Mudhalvan scheme was began.
You’re thought-about an accommodating politician, prepared to carry dialogues with rivals.
I’ll have political variations, however I by no means had any private enmity in the direction of anybody. I participated within the swearing-in ceremony of Ammayar Jayalalithaa, after I was mayor of Chennai Company. I handed over tsunami aid to her in individual. When she was present process remedy, I visited her in hospital. I observe the identical follow with different political leaders too. I’m practising what was adopted by Dravidian leaders Periyar, Anna and Kalaignar.
A number of in DMK believed the celebration may need gained in 2016 meeting election had you been projected CM candidate, regardless of the 2G rip-off. You can effectively be attempting for a hattrick in 2026.
I’m not in favour of assumptions. We’ll strike a hattrick by successful 2024 parliamentary election like we gained 2019 and 2021. We’ll proceed to present good governance and the DMK alliance will win the subsequent meeting elections too.