Do you think that senior leaders and district secretaries of your party are being lured away by rivals with a view to undermine the four-party PWF?
VAIKO: Yes. I do not know whether this is happening with the knowledge of DMK leader Kalaignar. When, after a gap of 10 years, he invited me to his grandson’s marriage, it was an emotional moment for both of us. The DMK would have wanted to create the goodwill to build an alliance and there was nothing wrong in it. We, however, had to weigh the pros and cons of such an alliance because credibility prevails over all other considerations. We have alternatively aligned with the DMK and the AIADMK. We discussed this threadbare at our high-level committee meeting and decided to build the PWF. There was also a consensus on this in the district secretaries meeting. Subsequently we released the common minimum programme for the PWF. The DMK should have left us after realising that we were not interested in an alliance. But the party leadership gave up all decency in politics and started luring our party leaders. I will not say our district secretaries voluntarily quit. DMK treasurer Stalin worked behind the scenes to lure them. We may not match the DMK in terms of cadre strength and money power but we enjoy credibility. The DMK stands thoroughly exposed before the people.
Is there a space for an alternative front in Tamil Nadu where the two major Dravidian parties have strong roots?
As much as 65 per cent voters, especially youngsters, are not attached to any political party. You can call them invisible voters. They make their decision at the time of election.
The flood in Chennai has heralded a new change. The youth, who mobilised support and relief through social media during the flood in Chennai, is turning its attention towards politics. Of course the Dravidian ideology has taken a deep root in the state. But the corrupt and family-run DMK and the undemocratic and autocratic AIADMK represent only a diluted version of the ideology. People are disenchanted with these parties.
Even assuming that they are strong, we have to try and break their monopoly.
The PWF comprises political parties that have divergent views on various issues. Will it be possible to hold the front together?
There is not much of a difference among us. We have difference in our approach to certain issues. But we have cohesion and mutual trust and there is no ego. Even on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, the MDMK and the CPI(M) have differences only on finding a solution to the problem. I have great faith in my ability as the coordinator of the PWF, a role I learnt from George Fernandes.
The MDMK dedicated a major part of its political existence for the Sri Lankan Tamil cause. Do you ever regret that your efforts were not appreciated in Tamil Nadu politics?
On the contrary, I have a sense of fulfilment. Whether mobilising support against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) or TASMAC liquor shops or fighting to raise the water level at Mullaperiyar, reaping political gains never occupied my mind. I enjoy the goodwill of the people. I value it even though I am not sure whether it will convert into votes.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/dmk-stands-exposed-before-people-vaiko/article7998314.ece?css=print
