Tamil Nadu missed out on Central government schemes because DMK saw BJP as an enemy, says G.K. Vasan

You refused to join the AIADMK alliance in 2016 because its leader Jayalalithaa had asked TMC(M) candidates to contest on the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol issue. However, in 2021, you participated in the ‘Two Leaves’ competition. Now, what made you place the five candidates of your party on the ‘Lotus’ symbol of the BJP?

In 2014, TMC(M) was revived and we had our first Assembly election in 2016. We joined the third front [People’s Welfare Front]. We wanted to race on Moopanar’s ‘Loop’ symbol. Unfortunately, I did not get the ‘Cycle’ symbol in 2016 as Kashmir Panthers Party had an Election Commission case. So we had to get a new symbol. We chose ‘Coconut Grove’ because we are a party that defends farmers’ rights. Unfortunately, the entire front did not win in 2016. The next election was the 2019 Lok Sabha election and we were part of the AIADMK-led NDA. Even then we did not get the symbol and contested on ‘Automatic’ in a Lok Sabha seat. We wanted 12 seats in 2021, but we only got six seats. Although there was no Election Commission case at that time, we took a policy decision that if we did not get at least 12 seats, we would contest for the AIADMK, which was the symbol of the party with which we were directly aligned. So we competed on ‘Two Leaves’. in 2024 [parliamentary polls]We joined the BJP-led NDA, won three seats and contested on our own ‘Cycle’ symbol. Now, in 2026, there is a problem in obtaining our symbol again. Since we are in direct alliance with the BJP, we decided to contest on the ‘Lotus’ issue. If I don’t get the ‘Lotus’ symbol this time and I have to get my own symbol, I will get one of the ‘Chair’, ‘Table’, ‘Cricket Ball’ or ‘Hockey Stick’ which we won’t be able to put before the voters in a short time.

If your candidates are elected with the ‘Lotus’ symbol, they are technically members of the BJP. Won’t this harm the long-term prospects for TMC(M) growth and ECI recognition?

That’s not the technical point. They are members of the TMC(M) party, they are our MLAs. When there’s a whip [by the BJP]needs to be followed. It’s not just a new rule for the TMC(M). Across the country, as per Election Commission norms, it is the rule that all parties prefer to contest on the symbol of another party.

The problem was not only in the context of the vote in Parliament. In general, doesn’t this make a difference when you represent your own party in the Parliament and compete on the symbol of another party?

There’s nothing to hide. We are always comfortable with our own symbol. Since my party cannot get this according to the Election Commission rules, I have to win the election and show my strength. I need to move on to the next option immediately. I didn’t go to any party that I didn’t have an alliance with. I follow closely with the BJP. I supported them on all the bills in Delhi [parliament]. I am a confident ally of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. I have been going with them for seven or eight years without a break. I think ‘Two Leaves’ and ‘Lotus’ are twin engines in Tamil Nadu.

Your party’s candidates will face two Ministers and a minister’s son sitting in another seat. Why were you given tougher constituencies than your other allies?

I see this another way. Today, I see the political situation of the DMK and the people differently. Anti-government sentiment is at its peak. The ministers’ anti-incumbency is higher than that of a normal DMK candidate. The anger towards them is even greater. This is because of their corruption and excessive use of force. They could not even perform properly in their own ministries. They did not address law and order problems in their areas. They defrauded money in the name of development. All of this will help my candidates against ministers. We will fight this. We have our own strategy to win this way.

The DMK camp is framing this election as a Tamil Nadu-New Delhi match. What is your opinion?

Absolutely wrong. This is a choice made for the safety of the people of Tamil Nadu, especially women. Development of Tamil Nadu in all respects by both the State government and the Central government should be the basis. DMK was one-sided. When it comes to development, they think their development is final. They do not want any improvement from the Center due to vote bank politics. Must have dual engine sags (state). Central and State governments must work together, hand in hand. People from towns to villages should benefit.

If you put it that way, doesn’t that raise the argument that a party that opposes the party in power at the Center shouldn’t come to power in America?

Like hell. Because from the perspective of the Tamil Nadu government, they did not see the BJP as an opposition party; They saw it as an enemy party because of its vote bank politics. This is the wrong example they follow. Here they missed many Central government schemes. People are angry with them. People want change. This kind of attitude from a ruler will never develop Tamil Nadu. They think only their own stickers should be there and the Central government’s stickers should not be here. This is wrong. The sound will only come when we clap our hands. Their attitude is completely wrong. Forget other states. The people of Tamil Nadu are very clear.

Your father GK Moopanar was steadfast in his opposition to the BJP even after leaving the Congress and freeing the TMC in 1996. But you have been on friendly terms with the BJP ever since you revived the party and have been traveling with them for a long time. Why is there a difference in approach to the BJP between you and your father?

My father died 25 years ago. Many dynamics in politics have changed in these 25 years. There are two sides of the coin in Indian politics after independence. One can be represented as: [Jawaharlal] Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. The other side now, later [Atal Bihari] Vajpayee’s era, Narendra Modi’s era. The people of India believe in the Modi-led BJP government. Therefore, for the third time, firmly [central] In this technological age, the government comes to power. No one can deceive anyone to get votes. In nearly 90% of the states, people rejected the Congress party. Therefore, I think I am on the right track in terms of the interest of the nation.

You say TMC(M) is on the right track. However, between 1996 and 2002, the TMC achieved significant electoral success in its first appearance. However, your party did not win any seats. What is the reason?

In politics, an honest leader must accept some things. Whether we win or not, I have to take responsibility. There is no doubt about it. Winning and losing are common factors in our democracy. That can’t be why you keep losing. It is unfortunate that our alliances were not successful in all four elections. I too am part of those failed alliances. We could not reach the minimum number of seats we received.

Do you think there will be a change in this trend in the upcoming elections?

The party with which I am in alliance managed to score a goal for the third time in India, and my contribution is there too. We are slowly trying to evaluate ourselves politically and gain a winning momentum when it comes to Tamil Nadu. I am sure that this election will be an eye-opener for the people of Tamil Nadu regarding a twin-engine vehicle. sags. I think people have now learned that the Centre-State relationship is very important. A prosperous Tamil Nadu and a strong India is the need of the hour. We already have a strong India under the Prime Minister. We definitely need a prosperous Tamil Nadu that will emerge with the Center and the State working together.

Except for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the contest in Tamil Nadu has largely been between two fronts in the last few elections. Now actor Vijay is joining the fray. How do you see the political entry of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam?

As the leader of a political party, I do not want to belittle any political party in Tamil Nadu. I know how difficult it is to run a political party in public life these days, to have a cadre base, to meet people, to form alliances and to get votes. This being the case, new parties such as TVK need to be handled very carefully. I am pretty sure that the AIADMK-led NDA in Tamil Nadu is a winning alliance. At the same time, I do not want to make room for any party that tries to cut our votes in a big way and threaten our victory. I am sure that we are the winning front and we are the first front. That’s why we deal with all parties carefully, not with overconfidence. I want to carefully plan a strategy to secure the first position and build the voting base for me accordingly. Let DMK and Mr. Vijay fight for the second spot.

However, Mr. Vijay repeatedly claims that this election is between TVK and DMK, completely ignoring the AIADMK-led alliance…

As for us, when we feel that we are the winning front, we do not need to worry about the claims of the second and third fronts. It could be between Mr. Vijay and the DMK; I’m not bothered by this. I want to keep our winning score very clear. I am careful that the other two or three fronts do not reach our goal. My opinion is behind the election strategy. If Mr. Vijay says that this election is between TVK and DMK, this is his claim. I’m not worried about this. Mr. Stalin’s strategy may be Delhi versus Tamil Nadu. My strategy is that the AIADMK-led NDA will be the first front.

Your tenure as a Rajya Sabha member has recently ended. Is another term possible?

I am very happy to have served the people of Tamil Nadu for three terms in the Rajya Sabha. Eighteen years is not a short time. I served as Union Minister for 10 years. I have been serving as party leader continuously for several years. I am very happy that I try to serve the people and help my party grow as much as I can with all the capacity I have. It’s not the end of politics. I was very careful not to give importance to the Rajya Sabha seat because that should not be the reason why I lost my numbers. Since I was given a Rajya Sabha ticket last time, I could get only six seats. I want to be careful now. Being in the Rajya Sabha was secondary to me. My first priority was to win more seats for my party.