‘Dravidian mindset in T.N. is changing after death of Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi’
The BJP Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency candidate says it is her wish to return to active politics to work for the people; she believes the party’s vote share in the State has increased and the people are appreciative of the many welfare initiatives
JP Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan, who recently resigned as Governor of Telangana and Lt Governor of Puducherry, to return to active politics, is confident of entering Parliament. She had a freewheeling interaction with journalists at The Hindu office on Friday. Excerpts:
BYour resignation from gubernatorial posts came as a shock. What was your thought process before resigning?
The thought process started immediately when I became the Governor. Because I was given the Governor post as an opportunity, I took it without any hesitation. I joined as an ordinary karyakarta in the
BJP’s South Chennai unit. Then I climbed various positions in the party from the lowest step.
Senior BJP leaders knew that I had a tough fight in the last Parliament elections. My preference was to contest from South Chennai in 2019.
But because of the alliance [with AIADMK], the same candidate [ J. Jayavardhan] wanted the seat, as a State president I had to oblige the alliance partners. My option was South Chennai or the south [of Tamil Nadu]. Then I moved to the south [Thoothukudi]. Everyone knew that it was a tough fight. From the beginning,
I knew I wouldn’t be successful. But I fought on the field very strongly. The party recognised my fight, then they appointed me as Governor.
Despite having administrative capacities, and a unique combination of Governor and Lieutenant Governor posts, I wanted to be with the people. Whatever the posts given to me, I have worked to the fullest of my satisfaction and people’s satisfaction.
Because of the announcement of the elections, I thought it was high time to jump into politics again. Within a short period after getting the approval from the President, Prime Minister and Home Minister, I resigned.
What has been your impression of people’s endorsement of the BJP, over the years in T.N.?
My strong feeling is the party has grown well. The rallies of the Prime Minister draw a large number of enthusiastic people. The State president K. Annamalai’s padayatra has also helped. I should endorse all past senior leaders who sowed the seed.
The opposition which we had in neutrino, hydrocarbon, and NEET has subsided. People of Tamil Nadu like the Prime Minister more and he also takes more initiatives for the welfare of the State. I feel the percentage of vote share has increased and we will win some seats. The people are more supportive. The Dravidian mindset is slowly coming down after the demise of great leaders like Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi.
You mentioned the party is growing. But when it comes to
fielding candidates, why did the party choose a Governor, a Union Minister and BJP floor leader to contest?
I completely deny the opinion that I was asked to resign. It was my wish and request. Nainar Nagendran also wanted to become an MP. It is not unusual. Even in Telangana, MLAs became MPs and vice versa. Mr. Murugan has been given a safe seat and he will win.
When the PM visited T.N., he hailed AIADMK’s late leaders. But, Mr. Annamalai continues to criticise AIADMK. Why?
Instead of calling it a difference, the State president has been given full responsibility and rights to face the political situation in the State. Just because being a national party, nobody exerts pressure on the State president.
You said you knew that you would lose the last election. How do you see your chances in this
election? Who is your main rival DMK or AIADMK?
I will win, I have to. My appeal to the people of South Chennai is you have voted for both. You have tested it. They were not functioning as an exemplified MP. Then why to go for them again? Don’t see the party alone. See the candidate and how they performed. I have a good track record. I know how to move to the Centre and get things done in a straightforward manner. I am a person with a ‘noncorrupted’ image. I have only one drawback. Those who have black money are buying votes, which I cannot.
How do you propose to give confidence to minority voters, particularly Muslims?
Triple Talaq ban is justice done to the people. All schemes of the Centre are inclusive. They receive too much pampering from the divisive politics of the other parties. Only in T.N., the DMK and Congress are playing divisive politics.