When did you think of quitting the Congress and floating a new one?
It has been 14 years since I merged my Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) with the Congress. Even though I was loyal while I was in the Congress, I was forced to encounter many speed breakers on several issues such as appointing office-bearers and forming electoral alliances. Their (All-India Congress Committee) approach was not right. All this led to the split.
We hear of similar problems in other places. Will we see more Vasans? There have been many reversals after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Will there be a major overhaul in the Congress?
The national party does not have a yardstick to measure the merit of the state leaders based on their cadre base and that makes it difficult for them to strengthen the party. This applies to all states. Unless this changes, the party will suffer heavy losses.
It’s still a million dollar question to me if being a leader with a major following in the Tamil Nadu Congress is an advantage or a disadvantage as far as the high command is concerned.
You were a Central minister for the last 10 years. Did your well-wishers from other regions also speak of similar revolts in their states?
The high command should assess the situation and the needs in each state and allow the party leaders there to deliver. If this is not done, the morale in those states will become low and that is not good.
Do you suggest that the style of functioning of the party, particularly of Rahul Gandhi, should change?
I personally feel that more than concerning themselves with individuals, they must repair the system.
But, the system is controlled by Mr Gandhi, isn’t it?
A team and not an individual must be working at all levels in a national party to take collective decisions in the interest of the people and the organisation. Unfortunately, most of the time, those decisions are not as helpful as expected.
What should the Congress do to stem this downslide from one poll to another?
When a party is ruling for more than one term, people look for a change.
So, the reverses were more due to anti-incumbency?
Everybody knows. It was a national scenario. But there were some unfavourable moments. People grew suspicious about some things.
So, what should the Congress do?
I am not in a position to advise a national party. I could only say that in states like Tamil Nadu, people think regional albeit with a national outlook. They must remember that.
They should give more importance to these regional factors and feelings. They should take up regional
issues.
The Lankan Tamils’ issue is a matter of great concern in Tamil Nadu. What would you have done to resolve this?
We must not encourage a banned organisation. At the same time, innocent Tamils who suffered (in war) should be rehabilitated fully. They should be given rights on par with the Sinhalese and be allowed to live in dignity, peace and security in their land.
Should India be more tough on Sri Lanka? Did India fail?
Our country should act as a guardian for them. India should do much better in all ways possible to regain the confidence of the Tamils in Lanka and in Tamil Nadu. Our diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka should have a more humane approach in dealing with the incident you may call it war and the plight of the locals.
During your stint as a Cabinet minister, did you find Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to be lacking in action, succumbing to pressures from Mr Gandhi?
Dr Singh tried to do his best within his limits. He was the Prime Minister and there was the party president too.
Did the differences between the PM and Sonia Gandhi affect the image of the United Progressive Alliance?
I will not call them differences. I would say it would have certainly helped had there been better coordination between the two. The PM did what he could do best at that time. His hands were not tied. That was his way of functioning.
Circumstances were favourable to your father Moopanar when he revolted against former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s decision to align with J. Jayalalithaa and quit in 1996. Prominent leaders like P. Chidambaram and Jayanthi Natarajan were with him when he launched the TMC…
Most of the cadres are with me. Some individuals may have decided to stay away.
Mr Chidambaram was a great fan of your father. What went wrong between you and him?
There was never a difference of opinion between him and me. He’s a leader in his own right and I respect him.
What are your plans for the new party? What are your party’s chances beyond Tamil Nadu?
I will tour throughout Tamil Nadu. I have no business in any other state.
Mr Gandhi was angry with party seniors who didn’t contest the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. You too didn’t. Was that one of the reasons for the souring of ties between him and you?
I was very clear from day one that I would tour all the 39 constituencies instead of being tied to one place. My touring would give an image of unity for the party.
What is your take on Mr Chidambaram’s view that a leader outside the Gandhi family might lead the Congress?
From Kanyakumari to Kashmir, there have been many cases of dynastic politics. How can you say a family that has struggled for the country for over 50 years should move out just because the Congress lost a few elections?
Is Narendra Modi consolidating his hold on Indian politics and people?
The Bharatiya Janata Party has just completed 100 days in office and, barring a few instances, they have mostly been following the UPA’s schemes.
