ET BureauDMK patriarch M Karunanidhi takes potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that his actions do not match his rhetoric. In an exclusive interview to V Prem Shanker, Karunanidhi calls for opposition unity in Tamil Nadu and stops just short of endorsing his son MK Stalin as his successor. Excerpts:
With the BJP trying to increase its regional presence, do you think there is a threat to regional parties in the states?
Whatever it means to other political parties, as far as the DMK is concerned, there is no chance of the BJP ever being a threat. Right from the start, the DMK has been a massive people’s movement. Tamil Nadu had transformed into a civilised land of self-respect after the great struggles of Periyar and Anna. I am very confident that the BJP’s fundamentalist ideologies will not affect the DMK or Tamil Nadu in any way.
What is your assessment of Narendra Modi and his government?
After assuming charge Prime Minister Narendra Modi has traveled a lot, spoken a lot. But I have my doubts if those in Modi’s cabinet and those in the BJP are listening to him. Their activities show it. More than fulfilling what the BJP had promised the people of the country before the 2014 Lok Sabha election, they are doing things that were unsaid, meaning unnecessary things.
What is your opinion about the Congress’ role in opposition? Do you think their actions stalling Parliament are justified?
For the Congress, it is not something new to function as the opposition party. It has been in the opposition in the past too. In a democracy, the activities of opposition parties— which react to events—depend in large part on the approach of the ruling party. I am of the opinion that the Congress as an opposition party is only reacting to the vindictive mindset of the BJP government. Instead of getting into the politics of whether one can justify the actions of the Congress party to stall parliamentary proceedings, if one imagines how the BJP behaved when it was an opposition party, the direction in which the Indian democracy is going will become comprehensible. Stalling of parliamentary proceedings is equal to crippling democracy.
Do you think Rahul Gandhi is capable of being the next Congress president?
This is the party’s internal matter. However, the question of whether Rahul Gandhi will take up the leadership position and function efficiently is hypothetical in nature. A similar question was raised when Rajiv Gandhi was to be elevated as the head of the Congress party. The Congress is projecting Rahul Gandhi only because they think that he has the necessary knowledge, passion and experience for taking up the leadership position. A vacuum will be filled as soon as it is created; this natural phenomenon is to be kept in mind. I hope it will be pondered as to why the question that is being raised about Rahul Gandhi was not raised about the leadership change in the BJP.
The state BJP is saying that it is against the ruling AIADMK but Prime Minister Modi had lunch with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa during his last visit to Chennai. How do you view this?
The BJP talks about transparency and does things tactfully behind the curtains. The AIADMK is full of mysteries. In such a situation how can I give an opinion? Only time will tell.
In Tamil Nadu, do you think opposition parties should come together to block the AIADMK in the next election?
It is a good intention to ensure that the number votes that are multiplying on a daily basis against the anti-democratic, anti-people, corrupt and ineffective AIADMK are not scattered. But it is unacceptable to say that only if all the opposition parties come together can the AIADMK be defeated. The AIADMK’s reputation or reach is not that Himalayan. It should not be forgotten that the AIADMK is a party that was defeated in the 1996 assembly elections with 27% of the votes and 2006 assembly elections with 33% votes. DMK won in 1996 with 53% votes and 2006 with 45% of the votes. I am reminded of a story: An old man had four sons. All four of them were always fighting with each other. The old man was very sad seeing this. When he asked them to remain united, they said they will not. One day he held a competition to teach them a lesson. He asked all four of them to bring one stick each. They brought it. He asked the eldest son to tie all the four sticks together. Then he called each of the sons one by one and asked them to break the sticks that have been tied together. Nobody could. Then he removed the knot and separated the sticks and asked them to break each of them. They easily broke it. Then he asked them if they had understood the strength of unity. They said they do understand. It will be right if the op opposition parties in Tamil Nadu understand this story.
This is the first time so many smaller parties including the PMK, DMDK, MDMK, and Left Parties are all saying that they are against both the AIADMK and the DMK. How do you view this?
No conclusion can be arrived at by what is being said now. That is what Anna termed as the “Aaramba Soorthanam” (Initial bravado). The situation will become clearer for each of the parties as elections come closer. Changes will take place. Wait and see. You have mentioned some parties and referred to them as smaller parties. Isn’t it natural for these smaller parties to hope to grow and become bigger parties?
How do you view MK Stalin’s rallies and roadshows recently?
DMK treasurer Stalin’s ‘Namakku Naame’ roadshows are taking place very successfully with the immense support and love of the people. Every day over the telephone Stalin updates me in detail on the latest developments. The people’s welcome has been delightful.
What prevents you from formalising Stalin as your heir for the party leadership?
DMK is a democratic movement. It has been often repeated that everything here happens as per the majority’s decision. I cannot single-handedly announce a decision which has to be taken only after the general body and executive committee meetings. It is an open truth known to everybody that Stalin stands out as the deserving person for the leadership position of the party, even without me announcing it.
Will the effects of the negative fallout from the 2G scandal linger and hinder the DMK in 2016?
The notional loss caused during 2G spectrum allocation is being enquired into by a special court. I am very confident that this will definitely not have any effect in the 2016 assembly elections.
What do you think will be Tamil Nadu’s most important election issue as it goes to polls in 2016?
Do we need an ineffective AIADMK government which has alienated all sections of the people? Or should the DMK rule which has proved its effectiveness five times in the past blossom again? That will be the biggest election issue during 2016 assembly polls.
If corruption is likely to be one of the issues, will the DMK be able to campaign against local corruption?
You are asking this question forgetting the fact that AIADMK’s chief herself is facing a Disproportionate Assets case in the Supreme Court.
With the BJP trying to increase its regional presence, do you think there is a threat to regional parties in the states?
Whatever it means to other political parties, as far as the DMK is concerned, there is no chance of the BJP ever being a threat. Right from the start, the DMK has been a massive people’s movement. Tamil Nadu had transformed into a civilised land of self-respect after the great struggles of Periyar and Anna. I am very confident that the BJP’s fundamentalist ideologies will not affect the DMK or Tamil Nadu in any way.
What is your assessment of Narendra Modi and his government?
After assuming charge Prime Minister Narendra Modi has traveled a lot, spoken a lot. But I have my doubts if those in Modi’s cabinet and those in the BJP are listening to him. Their activities show it. More than fulfilling what the BJP had promised the people of the country before the 2014 Lok Sabha election, they are doing things that were unsaid, meaning unnecessary things.
What is your opinion about the Congress’ role in opposition? Do you think their actions stalling Parliament are justified?
For the Congress, it is not something new to function as the opposition party. It has been in the opposition in the past too. In a democracy, the activities of opposition parties— which react to events—depend in large part on the approach of the ruling party. I am of the opinion that the Congress as an opposition party is only reacting to the vindictive mindset of the BJP government. Instead of getting into the politics of whether one can justify the actions of the Congress party to stall parliamentary proceedings, if one imagines how the BJP behaved when it was an opposition party, the direction in which the Indian democracy is going will become comprehensible. Stalling of parliamentary proceedings is equal to crippling democracy.
Do you think Rahul Gandhi is capable of being the next Congress president?
This is the party’s internal matter. However, the question of whether Rahul Gandhi will take up the leadership position and function efficiently is hypothetical in nature. A similar question was raised when Rajiv Gandhi was to be elevated as the head of the Congress party. The Congress is projecting Rahul Gandhi only because they think that he has the necessary knowledge, passion and experience for taking up the leadership position. A vacuum will be filled as soon as it is created; this natural phenomenon is to be kept in mind. I hope it will be pondered as to why the question that is being raised about Rahul Gandhi was not raised about the leadership change in the BJP.
The BJP talks about transparency and does things tactfully behind the curtains. The AIADMK is full of mysteries. In such a situation how can I give an opinion? Only time will tell.
In Tamil Nadu, do you think opposition parties should come together to block the AIADMK in the next election?
It is a good intention to ensure that the number votes that are multiplying on a daily basis against the anti-democratic, anti-people, corrupt and ineffective AIADMK are not scattered. But it is unacceptable to say that only if all the opposition parties come together can the AIADMK be defeated. The AIADMK’s reputation or reach is not that Himalayan. It should not be forgotten that the AIADMK is a party that was defeated in the 1996 assembly elections with 27% of the votes and 2006 assembly elections with 33% votes. DMK won in 1996 with 53% votes and 2006 with 45% of the votes. I am reminded of a story: An old man had four sons. All four of them were always fighting with each other. The old man was very sad seeing this. When he asked them to remain united, they said they will not. One day he held a competition to teach them a lesson. He asked all four of them to bring one stick each. They brought it. He asked the eldest son to tie all the four sticks together. Then he called each of the sons one by one and asked them to break the sticks that have been tied together. Nobody could. Then he removed the knot and separated the sticks and asked them to break each of them. They easily broke it. Then he asked them if they had understood the strength of unity. They said they do understand. It will be right if the op opposition parties in Tamil Nadu understand this story.
This is the first time so many smaller parties including the PMK, DMDK, MDMK, and Left Parties are all saying that they are against both the AIADMK and the DMK. How do you view this?
No conclusion can be arrived at by what is being said now. That is what Anna termed as the “Aaramba Soorthanam” (Initial bravado). The situation will become clearer for each of the parties as elections come closer. Changes will take place. Wait and see. You have mentioned some parties and referred to them as smaller parties. Isn’t it natural for these smaller parties to hope to grow and become bigger parties?
How do you view MK Stalin’s rallies and roadshows recently?
DMK treasurer Stalin’s ‘Namakku Naame’ roadshows are taking place very successfully with the immense support and love of the people. Every day over the telephone Stalin updates me in detail on the latest developments. The people’s welcome has been delightful.
What prevents you from formalising Stalin as your heir for the party leadership?
DMK is a democratic movement. It has been often repeated that everything here happens as per the majority’s decision. I cannot single-handedly announce a decision which has to be taken only after the general body and executive committee meetings. It is an open truth known to everybody that Stalin stands out as the deserving person for the leadership position of the party, even without me announcing it.
The notional loss caused during 2G spectrum allocation is being enquired into by a special court. I am very confident that this will definitely not have any effect in the 2016 assembly elections.
What do you think will be Tamil Nadu’s most important election issue as it goes to polls in 2016?
Do we need an ineffective AIADMK government which has alienated all sections of the people? Or should the DMK rule which has proved its effectiveness five times in the past blossom again? That will be the biggest election issue during 2016 assembly polls.
If corruption is likely to be one of the issues, will the DMK be able to campaign against local corruption?
You are asking this question forgetting the fact that AIADMK’s chief herself is facing a Disproportionate Assets case in the Supreme Court.
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