The tragic murder of your husband, Armstrong, has drawn you into public life. How are you coping with this sudden life-altering transition?

After the demise of my beloved husband, I felt a void that threatened to overwhelm me. The shock of such a profound tragedy left me emotionally and psychologically shaken. Yet, during his lifetime, he instilled in me the importance of resilience and a deep sense of social responsibility. He had entrusted me with the responsibility of managing the Buddha Vihar he established here.

Like B. R. Ambedkar, he firmly believed that Buddhism could dismantle caste-based inequalities and usher in genuine social justice. Throughout his life—as both a politician and an uncompromising activist for the oppressed—he consistently upheld these ideals. The values and responsibilities I inherited from him have made me aware of my role in his absence, first as a Dalit woman and also as a mother, in carrying forward his unfinished dreams: to uplift the subaltern, both educationally and economically.

You have said that your entry into politics is driven by the quest for justice for your husband’s murder. You have also expressed dissatisfaction with the DMK government’s handling of the case, terming the investigation neither free nor fair and claiming that the real culprits have not been brought to book. Do you believe that entering politics will help you secure justice for your husband’s death? If so, how do you intend to achieve it?

Yes, I seek justice for the brutal murder of my husband, and I will not relent until the real culprits are brought to justice, no matter how powerful they are. Everyone responsible for his death must be held accountable before the law, and justice in the end has a way of catching up with those who evade it.

In a democracy, political power is often the key to securing justice for the wronged and the oppressed. However, I must emphasise that my entry into politics is not solely about seeking justice for my husband’s death. It is also about ensuring that such brutal killings do not recur—that no Dalit who raises his or her voice for social justice and against atrocities is silenced again. I am stepping forward to continue that struggle and to remain a voice for the voiceless.

Although BSP’s national president, Mayawati, appointed you as the party's State coordinator after your husband’s death, you were removed from the position. Today, you have formed a separate party—the Tamil Maanila BSP. Do you feel betrayed?

Betrayal is something many of us encounter at some point in our lives, and I faced it in the aftermath of my husband’s death. Those whom my husband and our family trusted the most revealed their true colours during that difficult time. They reduced the BSP to a mere tool for their own interests—that is all. But I am not scared of such “hyenas”. I am the wife of a dynamic leader. I possess the willpower, and I draw strength from the unwavering support and affection of the people to confront and overcome such inimical forces.

WATCH | Porkodi Armstrong on a campaign trail.

Porkodi Armstrong alleges that the DMK government has not conducted a free and fair investigation into K. Armstrong’s murder and reiterates the demand for a CBI probe. | Video Credit: By Special Arrangement

Do you feel that you have sufficient support for your candidature in your constituency? Have you experienced any sense of neglect or “high-handedness” from your alliance partners?

Certainly, they have embraced me as their sister, daughter, and mother. My constituency is home to large sections of poor labourers and low-income families. Hundreds of households live in cramped lanes and narrow streets, without access to basic amenities such as toilets and safe drinking water. It is deeply distressing that residents of a constituency like Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar—situated in the heart of Chennai, the capital city of a socially and economically progressive State like Tamil Nadu—continues to live in such conditions.

If I am elected, we will take immediate steps to provide essential facilities such as mobile toilets and access to clean drinking water. Even if the State fails to act, we are determined to address these needs through our own party’s efforts. In fact, members of our alliance parties are working tirelessly for my victory, and I firmly believe that the people of my constituency will place their trust in me and elect me as their representative.

BSP chief Mayawati paying tributes to the party’s Tamil Nadu president, K. Armstrong, in Chennai on July 7, 2024. The slain Dalit leader’s wife alleges that the DMK government has not conducted a free and fair investigation into K. Armstrong’s murder. | Photo Credit: Jothi Ramalingam B.

Your husband worked for uplifting the oppressed. He helped many youths to become graduates, particularly lawyers. Do the name and fame of your husband compel you to enter politics and continue his legacy?

You have, in a way, answered your own question. Even if I had not entered politics, I would have continued to uphold my husband’s legacy. Now that I have stepped into public life—with my own party and the support of the people of Tamil Nadu—I hope to realise his unfinished dreams. To be honest, I had never intended to start a political party or contest elections. But once you commit to serving the people through a political platform, contesting elections becomes inevitable. Political power, in a democracy, is essential to translate that commitment into meaningful action for the poor and the needy.

You are emerging as a face of Dalits in Chennai city after your husband. Do you think you can fill the void left by him and continue his mission?

I am the wife of a Dalit leader and an activist. After my husband’s passing, I am stepping into his role. I want to make it clear: if Dalits are wronged anywhere, I will be the first to support and protect them. I will stand with them and fight for their cause, which was also my husband’s motto. This has become my social and political agenda today.

Your decision to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and contest on AIADMK’s symbol has stirred controversy, with some accusing you of compromising on the secular principles Armstrong strongly stood for. How do you respond?

This is a political decision shaped by the demands of the present moment. We are aligned with the AIADMK-led NDA, and my commitment remains firmly with the people. No force can deter me from working towards the aspirations of my community. At the same time, I remain committed to the principles of our alliance. My partners have given me the space and respect I need, and therefore, there is no question of any compromise on my part.

Your husband’s political influence was largely concentrated in Chennai and its northern suburbs. Despite facing significant political and economic constraints that limited his reach, he nurtured a vision of taking his ideology to other parts of the State and had begun working towards it. Do you have a concrete plan to carry forward and expand his legacy across Tamil Nadu?

His political ideology was firmly anchored in social justice, the empowerment of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and a clear commitment to Dalit-centric, anti-caste politics. I intend to carry this vision forward with a strong emphasis on grassroots consolidation. I will actively engage with the politically aware new generation within the Dalit community, ensuring they are empowered, confident, and motivated. Our party will also explore the possibility of fielding Dalit candidates in general constituencies to build broader social alliances and enhance their representation across both political and social spheres.

Have you received assurance of a fair investigation into Armstrong’s murder if the AIADMK alliance wins the elections and forms the government?

I believe the question itself is misplaced. The party we are allied with has repeatedly raised the issue of my husband’s murder. Its leader, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, brought it up several times in the Assembly, questioning why the DMK government was reluctant to transfer the investigation to the CBI.

There has also been criticism of our alliance, particularly because it includes the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). But I ask—so what? Anbumani Ramadoss, its leader, stood by us during our time of tragedy. My husband had, in fact, dedicated much of his life to building bridges with the Vanniyar community, a significant Most Backward Class (MBC) group.

He strongly believed that the Scheduled Castes and Vanniyars together constitute nearly 70 per cent of the population in the northern and northwestern districts of the State. He would often say, “We are brothers. If we unite, we can achieve true political empowerment. Both communities stand to benefit immensely—politics is what divides us.” He worked tirelessly towards this unity, which is why he came to be known as “Samathuva Thalaivar” (Leader of Equality).

What is your plan if you are going to be elected?

My plan is simple: work for the welfare of the people who elect me, improving their social and economic conditions through new schemes, particularly in sanitation, neighbourhood hygiene, and access to potable water. We are also releasing our manifesto, which will detail the demands of the people of the constituency. We will also eradicate the ganja menace once we are elected to power.

What do you wish to say to other Dalit outfits?

Unity is our greatest strength. We must harness the full potential of social media and digital platforms to amplify the voices of the oppressed and respond to injustices in real time. Let us stand together in the pursuit of social justice and resolutely challenge those who perpetrate injustice against the oppressed.