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"Even in a running race, the handicapped are given concessions"

R.K. Radhakrishnan

Thanks to Tamil Nadu's longstanding reservation policies, the backward and the most backward classes have progressed a good deal in education and jobs. "What is wrong if we desire that the situation that prevails in Tamil Nadu should be there all over the country?"

— Photo: R. Ragu

M. Karunanidhi: "If a party allies with the AIADMK, then it is not right for the Congress to have an understanding with that party."

One of India's elder statesmen, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi, was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for the fifth time. Four days later, he undertook a gruelling 300-km road drive to thank people for voting for the Democratic Progressive Alliance. In this first interview after he took over, he talks to The Hindu about issues of governance, his priorities, and relations with DPA partners and the Opposition. Excerpts:

When Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss met you a few days ago, he requested that the promises made in the PMK manifesto also should be implemented by your Government. There are similar requests from other DPA partners too. Is it possible to implement all these promises?

All of us had prepared separate manifestos. But many of the promises are similar. These can be implemented. We will discuss the remaining and decide on what we should do.

Is there a need for a coordination committee in the DPA, on the lines of the one in the United Progressive Alliance, to prioritise and fulfil the election promises?

We will soon have a meeting of all leaders of the DPA. We will discuss this and arrive at a decision.

Elections to cooperative societies are long overdue. What are the impediments to holding elections? When will you hold the elections?

The impediments have existed for a long time. Someone or the other goes to court over one issue or the other. You can always keep telling people that the case is not yet over. We will try to talk to those who have gone to court. We will also try to expedite proceedings in the courts. I cannot give you exact dates because the Assembly is in session. But we will try to hold it as soon as possible.

You are now Chief Minister. You are also DMK president and have literary commitments. At your age, will able to do justice to all your responsibilities?

Only if I have lots of work will I be able to remain healthy.

Do you think the agitation by students has been instigated by forces inimical to reservation for the backward classes and the most backward classes?

Even in a running race, the handicapped are given concessions. Generally, in sports, we give some leeway for the weak. Likewise, we should not forget that a section in a society is weak. This is not an issue involving one individual or a few people. This is the situation in a whole community. Until such time the whole community gets stronger, we need reservations. Because the reservation policy [for the backward and most backward classes] was followed in Tamil Nadu for many years, we can see for ourselves to what extent the backward and the most backward have progressed in education and jobs. What is wrong if we desire that the situation that prevails in Tamil Nadu should be there all over the country?

But there should be no hasty decisions. We should not give any room for violence. If the students have some difficulties, we need to discuss and sort out these difficulties. The students should come forward to protect the oppressed in society.

You have spoken on the need for adequate protection for important leaders of political parties even when their parties are out of power.

Important leaders of all parties need to be given adequate protection regardless of whether their party is in power or not. To regulate crowds or if the intelligence wing considers that there could be a threat to their lives. The intelligence wing — whether they are in the Centre or the State — if they have a reason to suspect a threat, then protection should be provided. That's what I said.

Will you issue an order to this effect?

I will discuss [the question] with senior police officers and issue orders if necessary.

On the evening of the day of polling there was a move to arrest Dr. Ramadoss and his son, Dr. Anbumani, on the charge of plotting to attack former Education Minister C. Ve. Shanmugham. Did you interfere to stop the arrest?

Thailaiidavillai, muraieeduthan. (I did not interfere, there was only a representation [to the Governor].) The DPA sent a team to the Governor to appeal against the arrest. It is not interference to send them to the Governor.

Many newspapers, including The Hindu, have reported that Congressmen have demanded power-sharing. What do you think of this?

We cannot come to any decision based on newspaper reports. The Congress president has not spoken to me on this. Ms. Sonia Gandhi or her emissaries have not said anything on this.

Why is the UPA hesitating to remove the MDMK from the alliance?

When we say that we will not be part of the alliance if the MDMK continues, many point to examples in Kerala and West Bengal — where the Congress and Communists fought against each other, though the Communists support the UPA Government at the Centre. This argument is not correct. In these States even if the parties hold opposing political views, they have kept political decency intact. Here, the AIADMK leader has spoken about Sonia Gandhi in a very derogatory manner. If a party allies with the AIADMK, then it is not right for the Congress to have an understanding with that party. That's what we think.

You have announced loan waivers and other welfare measures which top Rs.7000 crore. Where will you find the resources?

It is not as if these promises are implemented the minute after these have been announced. I have already spoken to the Finance Secretary on this. There is nothing to worry about [in relation to mobilising the needed resources].

You have stated before the elections that there would be no witch hunting after you returned to power. There has been a spate of transfers of officials.

A transfer cannot be construed as a punishment. The services of many officials — 10 or 12 as far as I know — have been extended. I don't think this is necessary. An order that terminates their services cannot be seen as witch hunting. Similarly some officials will be transferred for administrative reasons. For instance, if the PWD Minister or the Agriculture Minister feels that he will be able to work well with a particular bureaucrat, then he or she would be given the post. Naturally the person who occupied the post earlier would be transferred. This is not witch hunting.

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"Even in a running race, the handicapped are given concessions"

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