AUGUST 13, 2018 INDIA TODAY 43Q. How would you describe the governance of both the DMK
and AIADMK during the past 50 years?
A. There is no governance. It is all done automatically by
the IAS officers. There is a different kind of collection going
on. Those collectors are running the country. Even the hon-
est guys have to bend to these averages. You can call them
names but still it is we who have given them the office. If I
don’t respect the office, then nobody should aspire for it at
all. We are not asking for extraordinary rocket science in the
Secretariat; just do what the Constitution expects you to do.
Q. What does one make of your meeting with M.K. Stalin?
A. I have known him for a long time. I have met many other
people who have called me names. He hasn’t said anything
wrong about me at all till date. Once he said something and
I retorted back. He said that’s not what he meant. I said I
never replied directly to you either.
Q. Does MNM plan to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections?
A. Yes. My party should not become redundant till at least
30 years after my death. The polity-culturalism would have
worked. But then I am also a fan of the man who said the
work of the Congress is over, you can dissolve it now. Ac-
cording to Richard Dawkins, even Gods have expiry dates.
Q. Why will people vote for MNM?
A. Our angst about Tamil Nadu. Our centrism. Some of our
plans are being copied by the government which is good
because we are whipping them into action. In fact, there
is a government order asking them not to allow me into
college [to give a speech]. That’s a level playing ground,
they can’t undulate it. Students are being told not to talk
politics on campus. But what if I have taken political sci-
ence as a subject?Q. How will social media help your campaigning?
A. I had never thought of social media before, I thought it
was an invasion of privacy. I was happy to live on an island.
But you can’t. It’s like the reaction to the Gutenberg Bible.
The church was frightened of the printing press, yet the Bible
went on to become the highest selling book. They didn’t rec-
ognise their ally. Instead of costing me crores, social media
can help me reach out easily.Q. Would you support Rahul as PM candidate for 2019?
A. On a larger perspective, without naming personalities,
it’s high time the rest of India unites together to have a voice
equal to the other part of India which has always been com-
menting on who will be the PM. That’s why the symbol of
my party is the six states of the South. I am talking about a
federalist state. That’s why I have met [Pinarayi] Vijayan,
Chandrababu Naidu, H.D. Kumaraswamy and will meet
[Telangana CM] KCR. We must have a voice. We saw what
happened in Karnataka. The reason should not be expedi-
ency, but what’s good for the country.Q. What’s the one change you’ll bring about in TN politics?
A. Sign the Lokayukta bill. I like the Damocles’ sword hang-
ing over every head. The one signed currently by the Tamil
Nadu is a farce, an insult to the very idea. Presently, if a
complainant is proven wrong, the punitive measures are
clearly defined. What happens if the complainant is proven
right? The government will take care of it. Isn’t it ridicul-
ing, the very idea? The chief minister has to be worthy of
enquiry if there is doubt. Only when it permeates from the
top will everybody be afraid of the bill.Q. A dialogue from your 260-plus movies that best sym-
bolises you...
A. If I had to pick one, it’s from Virumaandi (2004): “A
man who forgives is a great man. The man who is valorous
enough to ask for forgiveness is a greater man.” n“I don’t believe in
vigilant ism as I am a fan
of Gandhiji. He is more
dangerous. To be anahimsa
vadi is the height of valour”SUMANTH KUMAR