The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
‘ We have a strong team... SP, AAP, TMC, RJD, Sena... and a dynamic leader like Rahul Gandhi’
“Modi is using every tool to keep Oppn in check, arresting leaders... Their latest tool is RTI”
WITH A photo of his father, the late DMK stalwart and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, looking over his shoulder, CM M K Stalin exudes confidence ahead of, what he calls, “a second struggle for Independence” in the coming elections.
Having led the DMK to a Lok Sabha poll sweep in 2019 and a state Assembly election win in 2021, the 74- year- old is now the face of the INDIA bloc’s hopes in Tamil Nadu, which will vote in the first phase on April 19. In an interview with The Indian Express, he reinforces his anti- BJP stance as that against the Centre’s “hegemony”. Excerpts:
How do you see this Lok Sabha poll?
It feels like we are in the midst of a second struggle for Independence. It’s all about defending the core of India: democracy, secularism , our pluralistic society, and the principle of federalism. The DMK, along with our allies in the INDIA bloc, we are in this democratic fight to save the nation from fascist forces.
And there is no question in my mind that we are going to accomplish what we have set out to do. This election isn’t just a critical juncture for us; it’s a do or die battle for Indian democracy itself. But, we have got a strong team. Leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, ( Arvind) Kejriwal, Uddhav Thackeray, Mamata Banerjee, Tejashwi Yadav, they are all in it with us. We are united in this fight.
Why did your government decide to go to the Supreme Court over fund allocation by the Centre?
We were forced to do it.
When Tamil Nadu was grappling with heavy rain and storm in December 2023... I personally reached out to the Prime Minister ( Narendra Modi), asking that it be declared a national disaster. But guess what? No financial aid came from the Union government. We provided Rs 6,000 per family to those affected by the floods. When the Centre turns a blind eye even during such calamities, how can we bank on them for fair financial support or a decent slice of the tax revenues?
So, we took our fight to the SC... Now, you might say this is all administrative stuff ( declaring a national disaster etc). But tell me, when did the Modi government last call a meeting of CMS to sort out these so- called administrative issues? They ( the BJP) love to talk about vibrant democracy and cooperative federalism... In practice, it’s non- existent.
What would you call your most significant contribution to Tamil Nadu among your policies and social welfare schemes?
At the heart of the Dravidian model is the idea of ‘ Everything for Everyone’... We kickstarted the journey towards education and social justice in the Madras Presidency a century ago. This ethos has been carried through time in Tamil Nadu, with significant milestones like the establishment of primary education in Kamarajar’s ( former CM Kamaraj’s) time and the expansion of higher education under Kalaignar ( Karunanidhi).
… In my tenure as CM, I have rolled out schemes like ‘ Puthumai Penn’ and ‘ Tamil Puthalvan’, giving a monthly scholarship of Rs 1,000 to students... Back in the 1960s, Tamil Nadu was similar to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. But thanks to the visionary work of my leader Kalaignar, we have transformed...
How difficult is it to check political corruption when fighting elections is becoming increasingly expensive?
The Election Commission has capped a parliamentary candidate’s spending at Rs 95 lakh. It’s no secret that the financial demands regarding running a party have skyrocketed... The key issue, especially for a budding democracy like India, is transparency.
... The SC recently threw the spotlight on a shadowy aspect of the BJP government’s financial disclosures during elections ( the electoral bonds judgment).
Beyond a few Union ministry posts, has the DMK ever considered playing a more prominent national role?
You have got to understand that the DMK’S role in Indian politics is not just about snagging a few ministerial spots at the Centre. Our influence has been historically significant... Our commitment has always been to national welfare, like when we backed the nationalisation of banks under Indira Gandhi in 1971, stood firm against the Emergency in 1975, played a pivotal part in the Janata alliance in 1977, formed the National Front in 1989, and the United Front in 1996. We even supported the Vajpayee government in 1999 under a Common Minimum Programme, ensuring minority protections, and were a crucial force in forming the UPA in 2004.
But the DMK has never aspired for top posts such as PM?
There were instances when high offices like that of the President, Vice- President and even Prime Minister could have been within Kalaignar’s reach. He humbly said, ‘ I know my height’.
But make no mistake, in the political landscape of India, Kalaignar and the DMK are towering figures, like the Himalayas.
How do you see the belief that people now lean more towards strong leaders, as they see parties as deprived of an ideology?
Political ideologies evolve as generations change, and it’s crucial for a leader to engage these new generations through ideological commitment. The Dravidian movement is a prime example... our core values like social justice, equality, and a deep passion for language remain unshaken.
The BJP, on the other hand, plays a different game. They fan religious sentiments, breed hatred, and marinate politics in RSS ideology. Today, they have Modi as their front man. The BJP’S strategy hinges on crafting this largerthan- life persona for the PM.
But is the BJP’S success tied to Modi’s ‘ single, unifying leader’ image, or to
Hindutva?
They might tout Modi as ‘ Vishwa Guru,’ but when you look at the indifference towards states like Tamil Nadu, or the confrontation at the border with China, his silence speaks volumes. Now, a dynamic young leader like Rahul Gandhi is set to dismantle that image of Modi and the broader RSS narrative.
To what do you credit your success in keeping together a successful alliance in Tamil Nadu since 2019?
When our alliance was formed in 2018, I made it clear that this was not just about political convenience. Our coalition’s core aim has been to wrest back the f undamental rights guaranteed by Indian democracy. This shared vision has kept us united.
How do you want people to remember your rule?
In public life, facing criticism is part and parcel of the game... My way of dealing with it has always been to get on with my work, to show through my actions what we are really about... I’m not after any grand title. If people simply remember me as a determined CM, who fulfilled their trust, that is more than enough.
What explains your strong attack on Central agencies such as the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and the Income Tax Department ?
The Indian Express did this investigation which showed that once Opposition leaders jump ship to the BJP, their legal troubles suddenly begin to evaporate... The BJP’S agenda now is to keep the Opposition in check, using every tool at their disposal, with even the Election Commission looking the other way as Opposition leaders face arrest.
And what’s the latest addition to the Modi family? The ‘ RTI’. – the recent Katchatheevu issue raked up by the BJP ( based on an RTI reply) was an example.