While the DMK has been heading a strong front for nearly 10 years, the AIADMK has not been able to do so. What is the reason?

More than calling the National Democratic Alliance [headed by the AIADMK in the State] a “strong front”, I would say this alliance is marked by one leader’s understanding of another leader. It is based on mutual understanding among parties. Unlike our rival coalition, our front has been formed with the visionary thinking of ousting the anti-people government from power.

You are a die-hard supporter of the Dravidian ideology. But your adversaries have been claiming that as happened in other States, the BJP will swallow the AIADMK in due course of time. What is your take?

In the 1998 Lok Sabha election, it was Puratchi Thalaivi [former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa] who made [Atal Bihari Vajpayee] the Prime Minister. She withdrew her support [to the NDA government] as many of her demands in the interest of Tamil Nadu were not implemented. Who latched on [to the BJP] immediately thereafter? It was the then president of the DMK [M. Karunanidhi]. In the subsequent Lok Sabha poll, they [the DMK] established an alliance [with the BJP] and won. They formed a coalition government [at the Centre] wherein they [the DMK] enjoyed power for five years. In the meantime, they were together during the 2001 Assembly election but did not win. If you go by their argument, the BJP should have swallowed the DMK even in 2001. But it did not. When a party, which operates for the selfish reasons of a family, can come out [of the alliance with the BJP], how can the AIADMK that works as a people’s movement be swallowed?

Are freebies required in a State like T.N.? Why is your party engaged in a contest with the DMK?

A good question! Though the needs of the people have been met to a certain extent, there are still [appliances] that the people do not use or do not get an opportunity to use. Our schemes are meant for enabling them to use them.

DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has been asking whether the AIADMK is genuinely interested in the welfare of farmers. He says your party had supported three farm laws. Now, it has not opposed the Centre’s directive on the withdrawal of incentive for paddy procurement. What is your answer?

Mr. Stalin should not talk about it. It was he and the DMK government which had signed [in January 2011] a memorandum of understanding for a project to extract mineral resources in Thanjavur [and other delta districts]. However, it was Edappadi K. Palaniswami who got Thanjavur declared a protected agricultural zone, apart from stalling the project. It is true that we supported the farm laws which had envisaged benefits for the farmers. At the same time, if the Centre stops assistance or grants due to the State, we will not accept it, whether we are in power or not.

How do you view Mr. Vijay’s presence, which is said to have unsettled the Dravidian majors, as he is said to be enjoying the support of women and the youth?

He is an actor who has influence among the youth. Making use of that influence and the illusion that he acquired through films, he has entered public life with the desire to reach the top. As he does not have political experience, he has encountered huge problems. He is now facing the election. He is relying on the support of the youth, but we are in the fray based on the trust of the people [in us]. We have been in politics for long. We were in power for 31 years. So we take successes and setbacks in a matured way. He has just come [to politics]. Let the time decide whether he will stay or run away!

How will be the future of the AIADMK, given the circumstances that many others, including those that are friendly to you, may be planning to grab your vote bank?

The people will give you the answer after the election.