2015 floods my political gateway, says PMK’s city candidate
Sam Paul, entrepreneur, running the Toni and Guy chain of saloons in Tamil Nadu, was declared the PMK candidate for Chennai Central constituency.
By : migrator
Update: 2019-03-18 22:29 GMT
Chennai
Speaking to DT Next, Sam reveals what drove him into politics and how he became part of the PMK.
You are a well-known entrepreneur in Chennai but what made you enter politics?
The Chennai floods of 2015 was the turning point in my life. When I started to involve myself in flood relief works, I received huge support. I posted one of the flood relief works in social media and it received a huge support. With the support from youngsters we were running a mini government-like setup and only then I realised that I should join politics.
How did you join PMK? Did you consider other alternatives?
PMK is the only party that suited by ideology. Initially, I tried other parties, but no party was ready to accommodate educated persons. Since, PMK founder, S Ramadoss and Youth Wing Leader Anbumani Ramadoss, are both highly educated. They realised my value and appointed me as the head of IT wing of the PMK.
PMK is seen as a caste-based party and how were you attracted to it?
I have seen people calling PMK a caste-based party but to me PMK was the party which is having a concrete ideology and following it. They accord prime importance to educated people and I am an example where a person from a different caste was given the seat in their party. If PMK was a caste-based alone would they have given me the seat?
You are relatively a new face in the PMK and how will be the support for you in the party and in the elections?
PMK is a party in which the cadres believe in their party leaders and strictly adhere to their decisions. I am a known figure in the party and I hope that all the workers would extend their support to me.
DMK had fielded Dayanidhi Maran in Central Chennai and how do you see your chances of victory?
I have already worked during the flood in Chennai and people of Chennai know me well. I am always accessible to the public and I have posted my numbers in social media. Tell me one candidate in the opposition parties who has done that. We all know who Dayanidhi Maran is. Is he accessible to people? Can people of his constituency meet him if they have a problem, but I am always accessible, and I am one amongst the common man.
What is your priority for the people of the constituency?
I have released my manifesto which gives priority to end corruption with iron hand and to generate more employment. I will work hard to implement all my promises and my work for the people of Chennai will continue even after the elections.
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