DMK will win civic polls and fight for people's welfare: Ma Subramanian
Chennai: Former Mayor and DMK Chennai district (South) secretary Ma. Subramanian has risen from an ordinary background to a key functionary of the party in the State capital.
Despite, the party failing narrowly to capture power, Subramanian is confident that the DMK could stay centre-stage, win the corporation elections later this year and implement the development schemes for Chennai.
In an Interview to Deccan Chronicle, he says the party will fight inside and outside the Assembly for people’s welfare.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q Your party has made several allegations against the AIADMK government, but the party has returned to power. Does it mean that the people have rejected your criticism of the AIADMK?
Certainly not. There was actually a wave in favour of the DMK and against the AIADMK. The DMK lost because of the Election Commission, which failed to prevent cash distribution for votes. During previous elections, police used to arrest those who distributed cash. This time, no one was arrested and no case was registered against anyone.
Q You have lost for the second consecutive time in an Assembly election and the DMK must be in the opposition for another five years. After being out of power for ten years, will the cadre and functionaries lose their morale and capability to fight the AIADMK?
This time, the DMK has actually created history by winning 98 seats for the alliance. The party will function as a strong opposition party. The AIADMK cannot ignore us like they did from 2011 to 2016. We will stay relevant and strong in the political sphere and the DMK could not be crushed.
Q You have made several promises to the people of Saidapet including flood prevention and won the elections. As an opposition MLA, how do you plan to implement your poll promises?
I have promised to build a concrete wall on both sides of the Adyar river to prevent flooding during rainy season. When the DMK was in power, we planned to build concrete walls along both the Adyar and Cooum rivers under the JNNURM scheme with an outlay of '1,148 crore. We have also planned to desilt and deepen 22 canals in the city including Buckingham, Otteri, Virugambakkam and Mambalam canals through the PWD and Chennai corporation.
The study report and plan was not followed by the AIADMK government. We will raise the issue in the Assembly. If the government failed to listen, we will mobilise the people and conduct mass agitations.
Q The DMK has polled more votes and got more seats in Chennai. But, in the local body elections, people may want their local bodies to be with the ruling party for development. Can the DMK win the corporation elections this time?
People are always ready to vote for us. Last time, the AIADMK won the corporation poll due to irregularities. This time, the AIADMK could not win using such tactics. We will win the corporation elections with people’s support.
Q The DMK made prohibition a major issue in the election campaign, but still, people, especially women, have voted mostly for the AIADMK? Has prohibition has no relevance or the people did not trust you on the issue?
Prohibition is certainly a major issue. People welcomed the DMK’s promise on prohibition. It will bring social change in TN.
Q The DMK has 89 MLAs and the ruling party has 134. Will the Assembly function without acrimony? Will there be frequent clashes?
Our leader Kalaignar has been elected to the Assembly for the 13th time and has functioned in the Assembly for six decades. Thalapathy Stalin has functioned as an MLA, as a Mayor, as Local Administration Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. Under their leadership, the DMK will function in a good manner in the Assembly.
