You had built the PMK from the days of the Vanniyar Sangam in the 1980s. Now, for the first time, you are opposing the candidates of that very party and its ‘Mango’ symbol in this election. How do you feel? Do you think this situation could have been avoided?

I created the PMK...like a tree...built it like a house, brick by brick. I am not opposing the ‘Mango’ symbol. It is my symbol. It was created by me. The court verdict has been different. They [the Anbumani faction] have gone to court, making it seem as if the ‘Mango’ symbol and the party itself does not belong to me. The current situation has arisen after they went to court. All this will be set right soon. The fake will remain fake, and the original will remain original. Whether it is a sapling, a tree, or a house, the one who created it will suffer pain when it is destroyed. I have that pain. We are approaching the court to alleviate the pain. He [Dr. Anbumani] has purchased everyone except the trinity of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. [Srikanthi Parasuraman: We are contesting in 37 constituencies, and not in the constituencies where they [the Anbumani faction] are contesting. We are not contesting to take revenge against them.]

Did you approach the DMK for an alliance, or were you approached by any party for a tie-up?

They did not approach us. We approached them, but the plan did not materialise.

Would your candidates be mere spoilers for the PMK?

If there is money, anything is possible. Kaasethaan Kadavulada. They have been calling them [the candidates] after offering money to them. [Srikanthi Parasuraman: We are not doing anything while they are poaching our candidates. They have been offering money to our candidates and enrolling them in the party since they would create an impact. The party is behind Ayya [Dr. Ramadoss]. They only have functionaries.]

You have seen numerous elections. What is your prediction for this Assembly election? Do you foresee the possibility of a hung Assembly?

I don’t know astrology. Everything is changing now. I am the senior-most politician, but nothing can be predicted as of now.

Actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay is drawing massive crowds. A significant section of first-time voters and women appears to be backing him. Why do you think this is happening? Have the older parties failed to channelise the youth and guide them properly?

Nothing can be said about this now. We can express our opinion only after the election gets over and the votes are counted.

Why have you joined hands with V.K. Sasikala, who was convicted in a corruption case, to fight this election? Your hardcore supporters appear to be upset with the decision.

In politics, there are people who are upset and those who are happy. Everyone is upset for one reason or the other.

Is there any possibility of a patch-up with Dr. Anbumani in the future?

That will never happen. After my breath stops... I have prepared my elder daughter Srikanthi. The party will go only to her. She is the one who is running the party and assisting me. After my breath stops, she will run the party in an efficient manner.

When you founded the PMK, you said no one from your family would hold any position in the party or contest any election. But almost every member of your family is now in active politics. How do you justify this?

A person can commit one or two mistakes, but I have committed a number of mistakes in politics. I am now suffering the punishment for these mistakes.