WE ARE A NATURAL ALLIANCE OF PARTIES...
Described as the ‘accidental’ chief minister after the way he was picked for the job in February 2017, EDAPPADI K. PALANISWAMI, 66, has with tact and guile steered the ruling AIADMK well enough to continue as the party’s chief ministerial face for the assembly election. EPS began the poll campaign from his native Edappadi in Salem district on December 19 and has so far covered 16 districts and 88 assembly constituencies. After the final session of the Tamil Nadu assembly concluded on February 27, Palaniswami responded to a questionnaire by Senior Deputy Editor Amarnath K. Menon. Excerpts:
QHow is this assembly election different from earlier ones for the AIADMK?
A. We consider the passing away of Amma (the late J. Jayalalithaa) as a huge loss. However, I believe that her soul has been guiding me as well as the ruling AIADMK. With her guiding light, we hope to win the coming assembly poll and install an AIADMK government for the third consecutive term in the state.
Q. What are your major achievements and how will they help the AIADMK in this election?
A. Getting the verdict on Cauvery water sharing in the state’s favour, creation of a protected agricultural zone, excellent water resource management, waiving agricultural loans to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore, the precautionary actions prior to the cyclones, keeping the coronavirus spread under control, horizontal reservation of 7.5 per cent for students of government schools to help them pursue their medical education dreams, establishing 11 new government medical colleges, starting 2,000 Chief Minister’s Amma Mini Clinics, a Pongal gift of Rs 2,500 to all ration card-holders, Tamil Nadu being at the forefront of states in attracting investments, best maintenance of law and order, and an easily accessible chief minister are some of our major achievements.
How will the AIADMK alliance fare? Will your party’s vote share be higher than in 2016?
A. Based on our people-centric development schemes of the past 10 years, I am confident the vote will be in our favour. The AIADMK will have a higher percentage of votes than in 2016.
Q. What are you promising to sway the voters in favour of the AIADMK?
A. The welfare schemes and development projects of the past 10 years, first implemented by Amma during her tenure (2011-16) and later by us have made Tamil Nadu the No. 1 state in the country. The various awards/ recognitions the government of Tamil Nadu has won in recent times validate this. You will get the details once we release the party’s election manifesto.
Q. Who are the AIADMK’s allies this time? You went it alone in 2016...
A. All parties that were part of the AIADMK-led alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha poll are still with us. We will work to strengthen the alliance.
Q. What are the challenges facing the alliance?
A. We are a natural alliance of parties, which have come together for people’s welfare. The alliance goal is the people’s well-being and striving towards the goal of a self-reliant and prosperous India. There is no challenge at all for us.
Q. The AMMK (Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam) led by Sasikala claims they are part of the AIADMK. Some leaders in the AIADMK have also welcomed her. How will you handle this challenge, especially in the southern districts where they have a significant vote share?
A. These observations are just assumptions, not reality. I have said on various occasions that Sasikala’s return will have no impact on the ruling AIADMK or on the government led by the party. I have addressed meetings in the southern districts, and witnessed the huge support our party has among the people.
Q. What is your assessment of the DMK and the alliance it leads?
A. One cannot deny the fact that the DMK is the principal opposition party in the state. However, the DMK leadership is weak, it is losing its strength because of its policies. Its political future is bleak.
Q. What are your impressions of the emerging Third Front which may include the minor parties unhappy with the seat-sharing arrangements offered by the AIADMK and DMK?
A. All the parties in the AIADMKled alliance are working in a united manner. Our alliance is firm and I can assure you that the seat-sharing talks will be held smoothly.