“We have done more than we promised” - M.K.Stalin

Deputy Chief Minister and DMK Treasurer Thiru M.K.Stalin, in an interview to The Week dt. March 20, 2011 stressed that “We have accomplished more than what we promised in 2006 and every family had benefited from the government’s policy.” The following is the interview: He is, perhaps, the least controversial figure in the DMK. So it makes sense to have him as the party’s chief campaigner in the Assembly polls scheduled for April 13. As deputy chief minister, Stalin has earned accolades from across party lines and from bureaucrats. THE WEEK met him shortly after the seat-sharing row with the Congress was ironed out.Extracts from the interview: You have been touring the state. How are the prospects of the DMK? I have travelled to all the districts of Tamil Nadu. Usually, the anti-incumbency factor comes to play during the polls. But people have been welcoming me wholeheartedly wherever I go. They have been very affectionate. We do not need any better evidence to prove that the election results would be in our favour. Kalaignar [Karunanidhi] will become chief minister for the sixth time. Will the problems between the DMK and the Congress affect the alliance’s prospects? The problems have been solved and we have arrived at a consensus. This will only affect the prospects of the opposition. Was the 2G spectrum scam probe an issue between the DMK and the Congress? That is a figment of your imagination. The Congress has clarified several times that the probe has nothing to do with the alliance. Will cadres of both the parties work together now? During every election, Kalaignar would say that cadres should consider all 234 candidates as the DMK’s candidates and work accordingly. In this election, the cadres will consider Kalaignar as the candidate in all 234 seats and work accordingly. Your views on allegations about your family’s involvement in the spectrum scam. The schemes of the DMK government have benefited all sections of society. Even cadres of opposition parties have benefited from the schemes. The opposition parties have nothing to criticise about. So they are trying to defame the party. People will not be hoodwinked by such claims. People have witnessed both—the cool shade of the DMK and the burning heat of the AIADMK. There are reports that you and Karunanidhi will contest from new constituencies this time. The party high command will decide the candidates for seats. We will, of course, contest only from Tamil Nadu! What is the DMK’s main plank in the campaign? Our schemes. We have accomplished more than what we promised in 2006. Every family has benefited from the government’s policies. What are your plans if the DMK returns? All the development schemes will continue and more will be introduced. I wish to assist Kalaignar in his endeavour to make Tamil Nadu the number one state in the country. - Courtesy : The Week, Mar.20, 2011.