Chennai: After two decades, the DMK will sweep Chennai in the May 16 polls, former Chennai mayor M. Subramanian said in an interview to DC during his hectic campaign in Saidapet Assembly constituency, where DMK heavy weight is contesting.
“The impact of December floods in Chennai is under reported and Chennaiites particularly, traders and vendors are yet to bounce back from the economical loss due to the failure of government,” says the confidante of DMK leader M. K. Stalin.
Q The DMK in the past two Assembly polls, 2014 Lok Sabha and the last mayoral elections was routed in Chennai. Last poll, the DMK won only in two seats of the 22, why ?
We have been allying with minor parties like VCK and PMK in the past two decades and as per alliance dharma, the party allotted seats to our allies in Chennai, but this time the DMK is contesting in more than 90 per cent of the seats in Greater Chennai and we will sweep. I have been a Chennaiite and a politician for 40 years, urban educated population want welfare, dignity and development and not freebies.
Q How many seats is the DMK eying in Chennai ?
There are 22 seats in city. Barring one or two seats, the DMK is comfortable in 19 seats. The party will sweep South Chennai with huge margins in Velachery, Saidapet, Sholinganallur and Virugambakkam.
Q What about north Chennai, the candidature of CM Jayalalithaa in R K Nagar is having a positive ripple effect in north Chennai among AIADMK workers, what is your take ?
Yes agreed, but the effect is getting nullified as M. K. Stalin is contesting in adjacent Kolathur. He is vibrant and accessible to the common man. Youngsters and voters are taking selfies and discussing their problems with him.
Q You are losing in Saidapet according to an opinion poll ?
I interacted with the team that surveyed and briefed that their samples were homogenous and not heterogeneous. The fact is that voters pamper me in Saidapet by giving juice, tea, biscuits and fruits.
Q AIADMK talks about corruption charges like 2G and nepotism in DMK. How is your party facing the public during campaign ?
The 2G case is pending before the court. People are now talking only about AIADMK ministers and fresh corruption charges like Tamil Nadu power purchase agreement.
“I am not from a political family but was elevated to the post of Chennai mayor by party president M. Karunanidhi and remember former deputy mayor Sathya Bhama, a grass root level party worker, nepotism is a non issue in politics like any other social service or profession.
