My views against BJP not personal, says AIADMK leader Thambidurai

 AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai has now emerged as the lonely voice in the ruling camp to take on the BJP-led Centre. Here are the excerpts from Thambidurai’s interaction with DT Next.

Q: The AIADMK says the State government is friendly with the Centre, but then your views about the BJP differwith your party seniors.

A: There is no contradiction, as government to government relationship is different. However, there will always be political differences due to policies. Modi runs a government at the Centre, while Edappadi K Palaniswami runs a government here. Governments must coordinate for public welfare and funds, but political parties need not be friendly. There are political issues created by the BJP, which affect the rights of Tamil Nadu. Under these circumstances, how can the AIADMK besilent? We will oppose the BJP as they are for anti-Tamil Nadu projects like NEET, Mekedatu and GST.

Q: The BJP terms your views as personal. Your press conferences are followed by a BJP reaction saying Thambidurai’s views are not endorsed by the AIADMK. What’s your take?

A: My views against the BJP are not personal as dubbed by the BJP leaders, who have given the authority to union minister Pon Radhakrishnan, BJP leaders Tamilisai Soundararajan and H Raja to comment on the views of AIADMK. The national party has nothing to do with AIADMK and they are not our allies. Do we comment about the BJP views? The BJP has targeted the AIADMK government several times and if they continue, I will also comment about Modi government. The national party should be ready for that.

Q: The Opposition parties blame the AIADMK for being silent on Mekedatu. What’s your response?

A: The Chief Minister has opposed the project. The BJP supports the Karnataka government for political gains. This is an unnecessary issue raked by the Centre. We want the Centre to withdraw the nod given for the preparation of a detailed project report. If permitted now, this will continue as a legal issue in the Supreme Court. We got the Cauvery Water Management Board (CWMB) after stalling the Parliament for 23 days. It was the AIADMK which legally fought for the CWMB.

Q: What about AIADMK’s poll strategies and alliance?

A: The party has now formed poll committees, but we will comment about the alliance only at the time of elections. Going by the previous track records, Amma always opposed the national parties. Let’s recall the previous polls during 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016. Amma (Jayalalithaa) took a stand not to ally with national parties and my views reflect the ideology of our late leader.

Q: Charismatic AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa is no more.How do you see the future of the third largest party (in LS) in her absence?

A: The AIADMK will remain the same as Amma’s legacy continues. Our party leader OPS has expressed that the party is ready to contest on its own in all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in TN and Puducherry.

Q: AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa opposed GST and NEET, but state ministers are now participating in the GST meetings.

A: State minister Jayakumar is participating in the GST as a representative of the state seeking funds and relaxations. Further BJP has got the majority and is running the government. How is it possible for us to stop the GST after it is being implemented?

Q: The BJP as well as AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran have blamed you for enjoying the deputy speaker post. Has the BJP sought your resignation?

A: It was Amma who elevated me as the deputy speaker for two terms. The post was not given by the BJP. AIADMK is the second largest party after Congress. Congress wanted leader of the opposition party, but the BJP was not willing to give that post for the Congress. And the next big post was Lok Sabha speaker, which is due for the AIADMK.

Q: Will you contest again in KarurLok Sabha constituency?

A: The party will decide about my candidature.

Q: Will you campaign against theBJP in the coming polls?

A: I am the party propaganda secretary and will campaign against all the opposition parties. Currently, I am blaming the Centre for not releasing funds. More than Rs 12,000 crore is awaited from different departments. We will protest against the Centre as they are infringing on the State’s rights.