What is your response to the criticism of Chief Minister M.K. Stlain that you and the AIADMK have betrayed the interests of Tamil Nadu on the Delimitation Bill?

On delimitation, Union Minister for Home Affairs [Amit Shah] has clarified that not only Tamil Nadu but also other States will not be affected. I have also reiterated this. He [Mr Stalin] says what Mr Amit Shah says should be written in water. Should we have to write on flowing water what he [Mr Stalin] says ? The share of Tamil Nadu will go up from 7.18% to 7.23%. There will be no reduction, This has disproved what he has been saying. I have been campaigning all over the State in support of candidates of the AIADMK-led alliance. There is no answer to the questions that I pose to him during my campaign. The Chief Minister is now trying to reap political benefits by spreading deliberately false propaganda. But, now, he stood exposed yesterday. The details of the delimitation [with regard to Lok Sabha] are now out. In Parliament, Prime Minister has made it clear and the Home Minister has given a detailed clarification. As for the 33 per cent quota for women, when Amma [Jayalalithaa] was Chief Minister, there was a plan to introduce it. But, that did not materialise. Later, we, the AIADMK, got an opportunity in this regard. In 1998 when the DMK was in power in the State. I was an MP [representing Tiruchengode]. She spoke to the then Prime Minister [Atal Bihari] Vajpayee and got his consent [for the quota bill]. The AIADMK’s M. Thambi Durai, who was the Union Minister for Law, tabled the bill and sought to have a debate, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party [members] snatched the text of the bill and tore it. I had personally witnessed this, as I was an MP. So, even then, the AIADMK had made an attempt to introduce a 33% quota for women in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies. Today’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fulfilling the dream of former Prime Minister Vajpayee and Amma. As the Chief Minister is not able to tolerate this situation, he is trying to obtain political dividends by enacting dramas and confusing people. This will not work out. A comprehensive and clear explanation was furnished in the Parliament yesterday. The present Prime Minister is fulfilling the dream of former Prime Minister Vajpayee and Amma. As the Chief Minister is not able to tolerate this situation, he is trying to obtain political dividends by enacting dramas and confusing people. This will not work out. A comprehensive and clear explanation was furnished in the Parliament yesterday. [During my State-wide campaign] I am only highlighting this regime’s woes. I am talking about schemes implemented by the [previous] AIADMK regime. I do not attack anyone personally. It is not my intention [to attack others personally] or can you find it in my political career. I wholly accept people’s verdict. The anti-people, corrupt government shoudl be removed. The National Democratic Alliance has been formed under the leadership of the AIADMK. The AIADMK will form the government. We will provide good governance so that people would say that there is no other regime better than ours.

Will there be a single party rule?

Certainly! That is how it [the verdict] will be.

Political observers are of the opinion that there is no anger against Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Given this backdrop, do you observe that there exists the feeling for a regime change?

Who told you that there is no anti-Stalin mood? During the DMK regime in the last five years, law and order has deteriorated totally. I have become tired of giving lists after lists. People are furious that the Chief Minister Stalin has created an insecure atmosphere for those who had voted, based on trust, for the DMK.

There is a view that as in 1989 when the divided AIADMK and the Congress contested separately, the divided Opposition (with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Naam Tamilar Katchi going it alone) would pave the way for the victory of the ruling party this time too?

The present situation is different from that of 1989. The DMK is indulging in daydreaming that anti-DMK votes would split and it would be able to win again. People are smart. They will not fall prey to tricks of the DMK

In your interview to The Hindu during the 2024 Lok Sabha election, you had said that national parties often ignored regional aspirations. What prompted you to change your stand and strike a pact with the BJP for the Assembly election?

It was true that whoever - including the Congress - ruled at the Centre, southern States, especially Tamil Nadu, were given the step-motherly treatment. But, the present Prime Minister Narendra Modi is treating all the States equally. Both of us are on the same page for ousting the “corruption-ridden and the evil force DMK, which has been promoting dynasty politics.”

Barring the joint appearance with the AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran in Thanjavur on April 11 [once again in Theni district later], you have been campaigning, by and large, on your own, resembling the style of Jayalalithaa. Do you think that this will ensure cohesion within the National Democratic Alliance?

Leaders of our alliance have been carrying out their campaign in a coordinated way, as per their tour plans. Whether we campaign separately or jointly, we are seeking votes for the victory of all our 234 candidates.

What is your response to the talk that you have given difficult seats to the BJP and the TMC(M)?

The AIADMK and its allies are in the fray after sharing seats of our preference. All of us have taken a unanimous decision [in this regard]. Unlike the DMK, there is no big brotherly attitude from our side. We [the AIADMK] have not compelled our allies to contest in certain constituencies; only for a pre-fixed number of seats and on our symbol.

What is your answer to the criticism by the DMK and its allies that the current election is a “battle between New Delhi and Tamil Nadu” and in the event of the AIADMK’s victory, the State government will be run from New Delhi?

This is the lament of those who have realised that defeat is in the offing. We are not like the DMK, which is enslaved to the Congress. Days are not far off for you to realise this.

How do you encounter the campaign that the BJP would eventually reduce you into another Nitish Kumar [who was till recently Bihar Chief Minister and succeeded by a representative of the BJP]?

The DMK and its henchmen are making sweeping allegations and spreading lies. We are not captives of anyone. We will extend a handshake for a relationship! We will give voice for rights! We will carry on our politics on equal terms [with others] on the Ines of Puratchi Thalaivar [M. G. Ramachandran] and Puratchi Thalaivi [Jayalalithaa].

Since December 2017, the AIADMK has been experiencing electoral setbacks, except in 2019 when the party won in nine out of 22 constituencies that had by-elections and two by-polls later. Would this time be different?

The DMK had attempted to dislodge the Amma govenrment. [However,] we continued in power after winning in by-polls to nine constituencies. With the support of people, we will win over 200 seats and pack off the anti-people DMK regime to home.

You have been saying that the only achievement of the DMK regime is plunging Tamil Nadu into “unprecedented debt.” Yet, in your manifesto, you have promised many welfare schemes and freebies. Are they workable? Do you think that a mere regime change will lead to the improvement in the finances of Tamil Nadu? Are you having any plan for re-scheduling of the debt repayment?

It is true that the Stalin government has imposed a debt burden of ₹ 1.2 lakh on every person in Tamil Nadu. We know how to bring the debt under control; improve the finances of Tamil Nadu and implement all the people-welfare schemes completely. It would not be prudent to reveal all our plans beforehand.

In your manifesto, you have mentioned that cess and surcharge must be included in the divisible pool shared with the States. Have you sounded the BJP in this regard and if yes, what is the response?

It is not a matter to be discussed at the level of parties. Once we form the government, we will hold discussions with the Central government in a positive manner and implement this promise.

There is a perception that the AIADMK does not have anything to offer to the youth and this is why the younger generation is moving towards the TVK and its founder C Joseph Vijay. What have you done in the last four-five years to promote the youth in your party?

More than the ruling DMK, Ilaignar, Ilam Pengal Pasarai ,(the AIADMK’s cells for young men and women), constitute the roots of our party. One half of our two-crore members in the party is the young blood. It is an illusion that the DMK and the TVK have more youth. The results will make it clear.

After the TVK’s launch, the response of the AIADMK was quite favourable to the party. You had spoken in support of the TVK leader after the Karur stampede. But, Mr Vijay did not respond positively. Did your party try to strike an electoral deal with the TVK at any point of time in the last one and a half years?

Forty-one persons died due to stampede at a meeting attended by Mr Vijay. As soon as I heard the event, I visited Karur that night itself; condoled the death of people and paid homage to the deceased. This was an humanitarian act. There is no link between this and the issue of alliance. It is an evident fact that we did not hold talks with them nor did they talk to us.