‘Jaya unwell, Karuna too old, Vijayakanth incoherent’
CHENNAI: For more than 50 years Tamil Nadu has seen a blend of film and politics govern the state. But, come May 16, if Anbumani Ramadoss, the chief ministerial candidate of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has his way Tamil Nadu will get its first non-AIADMK non-DMK chief minister in decades.
There are a lot of things in Ramadoss’ favour: He is the youngest CM candidate, tech-savvy and is a doctor by qualification. There are drawbacks as well: Many see the PMK as a casteist party and for long it has been in the shadow of AIADMK and DMK. But Ramadoss is confident his party and he can overcome these factors.
Excerpts from his interview with HT:
What are the major issues in Tamil Nadu this election?
Alcohol and corruption. Tamil Nadu sees the highest sale of alcohol, most road accidents, highest rate of suicide and liver disease in India — all because of alcohol. Tamil Nadu is seeing alcohol enforcement, not alcohol sale. As for corruption, BJP president Amit Shah recently said Tamil Nadu is the most corrupt state in India — we’ve been saying this for five years. Do you have a plan on how to bring prohibition?
When prohibition kicks in 90% of those consuming alcohol will stop. For the remaining, the government will provide medical attention. We will set up a toll-free number to check the sale or storage of illicit alcohol. Informers will be rewarded. Special courts will be set up to fast track related cases.
How conducive is the political environment for PMK?
For past five years PMK was the true Opposition in the assembly. Even though DMDK’s Vijayakanth was the Leader of Opposition, he went to the Assembly only once. The women in Tamil Nadu want the PMK to come to power because they feel that only we can bring prohibition—we’ve been fighting for it for the past 26 years.
What is your view on parties other than AIADMK and DMK?
The BJP is minuscule in Tamil Nadu. The PWF is an alliance of small parties that have been sidelined. They will not even win a single MLA.
What’s the edge you have over other CM candidates?
I have respect for the other three (candidates) but fact is they cannot take care of their everyday needs themselves. For five years, we have had a CM who could not step out of her house (because of ill-health), we have a 93-yearold leader (M Karunanidhi) whose own party leaders have asked him to retire. The third (Vijayakanth) is incoherent. I am a professionally qualified doctor and I’ve proved my credentials as a minister at the Centre. For the 2.5 crore young, neutral voters I will be the better option over other three.