‘Malai Malar’ is a leading Tamil Daily published in the evening everyday. On 15th April 2024, they interviewed the President of DravidarKazhagam (DK), Thiru. K. Veeramani inviting his comments on the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. By his comments he stressed that the country would become a prison cell if BJP grabs the rule again. According to him a win for BJP would only mean the end of democracy. The DK President added further that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc is quite strong and invincible.
The President of the DK, Thiru K. Veeramani is the only stalwart who has witnessed more number of elections in Tamil Nadu. Since the election of 1952 upto the forthcoming election, he has witnessed 18 elections. This election of 2024 being held for the Lok Sabha in the Parliament is the 18th one he is getting witnessed.
His experiences in all the 18 elections are innumerable indeed. He has on his fingertips all the details about the individuality of various political parties, the way the alliances were formed, benefits and losses faced by every party owing to alliances, unexpected defeats faced by various parties and the list of parties that appeared like a wild storm but vanished without a trace. He remembers them all precisely. When he was asked by the ‘Malai Malar’ evening Daily to express his views on the forthcoming election, Thiru.Veeramani granted an exclusive interview as follows:-
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* Would D.M.K. Alliance win at all the 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu?
Q: According to opinion polls despite the DMK Alliance being strong in Tamil Nadu, it is felt that it cannot capture all the 39 Constituencies. Does it indicate the growth of the BJP?
A: Usually I never believe in opinion polls, even when they are in favour of us. It is not a fair process, because I believe, they are merely thrust views – not just views. I was the first one to use the term “thrust views”.
So far I have witnessed 18 elections. Opinion poll method came into vogue only a few years ago. They collect opinions of people by just visiting a few selected areas. Such opinions cannot be fully relied upon as scientific facts. Such views are not simple and clear in all the areas like saying that two added to two, makes four.
Everyone uses general views as a device that could be favourable to themselves, as a method for psychological assault on others. The views of all the people collectively in all the areas are important – not collecting opinions at random from a few chosen areas alone.
When we analyse from this point of view the question that rises is – “Does the appeal that Modi once had, continues to be there among the youth, even now in 2024?” The answer for this question could only be in one word – “No!” Opinions of the people are more important than such general surveys. Besides the indifference of youngsters towards Modi, the truth is that people have clearly understood today about several activities and moves of the Union Government of the BJP, headed by Modi.
Moreover, as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, the rule of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is commendable not only on a national level but on the world level too.For example, Morning Breakfast Scheme in Elementary School has been followed by the Canadian government and also four States of U.S. The achievements of this Government are being hailed everywhere. The rule is so admirable and superb that no one can find any fault in it, except the BJP. We meet people regularly and collect their views like checking their pulse. We believe, opinion polls are all merely orchestrated. The real views of all the people put together alone are very important. We could gauge them.
* What is important is to ensure who should not come to rule.
Q: As I.N.D.I.A. bloc has not been properly co-ordinated, do you think a situation conducive to the BJP could rise again?
A: At the outset, I should say that the first part of this question itself is incorrect. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc has really been properly formed with perfect co-ordination at all levels. Since the election is to be held in many stages and since various parties have to adapt themselves to the ambience of their particular state, certain complications would naturally be there. When State level parties and National level parties are getting allied for a purpose, some practical difficulties are unavoidable. But we have to overcome the hurdles by remedial measures.
Our Chief Minister M.K. Stalin provided us superbly with a formula for remedy:
The central idea of his formula is that it is more important to see who should not come to rule us, rather than to see who should come to rule us. When we analyse from this angle, we see 80 Parliament constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. BJP cannot win in all the 80 Constituencies in that State. It was able to win the previous 2019 election because of the lack of unity among the Congress Party, the Samajwadi Party of Akhilesh Yadav and other oppressed communities. It has turned upside down today. An amicable atmosphere prevails there at present. Similarly, we can say with certainty that the BJP cannot win 26 seats in Bihar and Gujarat. We observe this from the situation prevailing in those states. Hence, obviously the co-ordination of I.N.D.I.A. bloc is quite perfect.
There may be a lack of co-ordination in Kerala to some extent. You may say that even in West Bengal, there is a lack of co-ordination. People who are quite influential there, are competing with one another in their efforts to defeat the BJP.
One says that we can defeat the BJP but has a doubt that it may not happen if they have alliance with the other. The other person also has the same doubt. There is thus a mutual mistrust among parties. Why does such a condition prevail? The answer to this question lies in the answer we have already given. Because of this complex political condition, they have prolonged the Parliament election upto the first week of June – 2024 and scheduled to conduct it in several stages on different dates. We are sure, there would be a desirable change at last. In the eleventh hour, many new opportunities could be beneficial to the opposition parties; certainly not beneficial to the ruling BJP.
* What would be the use of the frequent visits of the Prime Minister Modi to Tamil Nadu?
Q: Can the BJP get a foot-hold in Tamil Nadu by his frequent visits to this State?
A: A good question indeed. By the frequent visits of the Prime Minister Modi to Tamil Nadu, only the opposition parties would be able to have a strong foot-hold here.
Q: What would happen if Modi comes back again as the Prime Minister?
A: Democracy in India will be lost forever. Most of the members of the opposition parties would not be moving around freely. Instead of separate prisons to lodge them all, the country itself would be combined as a single prison. This would be the pitiable condition here. A Unitary Government would exist, imposing ‘one election – one country’ rule on us. Federal aspect in the polity will be no more. Modi would then be the only monarch, reigning forever. Modi has always been performing every act under the garb of law. This is the latest technique being followed by him. He would say that he has not toppled any Government in the political sphere. He may say, he has not used Article 356 but his governing and unilateral draconian laws leading to autocracy are worse than that.
Constitution would be replaced with Manu Codes
There would be just one single party in India. Modi already has a unique style of functioning. He has given the country a new Philosophy; Ministers would always be there whether they win or lose in the elections, by horse trading, command or threat creating ruling majority.
Hence, we must be ready to face all these consequences, if Modi comes back to power. Elections would be free of hurdles and complexities if Modi grabs the rule again. There would be no opposition party to question him – “Why? Where?” etc; Election expenditure would not be there. In brief, if Modi becomes the Prime Minister again, Manu Codes would be there instead of the Constitution. The rule would be only according to Manu Codes.
Courtesy: ‘Malai Malar’ – 15th April 2024
