Our Natural Alliance United to Oust Anti-People DMK Govt
Main Opposition leader and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, in an interview with Senior Editor B. Vijayalakshmi, highlights the elimination of drugs from the state and hints at having a ground plan to increase revenue. Excerpts from the interview:
What is your long-term vision for the development of Tamil Nadu if your party comes back to power?
We will turn the wheels of government towards peace, prosperity and progress. We will restore the law and order situation, which has seriously deteriorated in the last five years of DMK rule. We will eliminate all drugs, including marijuana. We will use the full force of the law to bring down anyone involved in drug trafficking, regardless of who they are or how influential they are.
Alliances play an important role in Tamil Nadu politics. What are your views on your coalition?
It was the DMK that had difficulty retaining its alliance partners. As for us, we are all united in our determination to topple the anti-people DMK government. Ours is a natural alliance.
Have you fulfilled your responsibilities as the main opposition party?
The DMK government has been operating for the last five years with the sole purpose of looting public resources. We exposed the wrongdoings of the DMK government to the public. We organized protests and demonstrations in every district to defend the people’s problems. We also highlighted the mistakes of the ruling party in the Parliament by presenting concrete evidence.
Corruption allegations are an important election issue. How will voters trust your government?
People are well aware that the name DMK is synonymous with corruption. As for All India Anna DMK, people believe that she will strive to eliminate corruption in DMK. This belief will not be in vain.
Urbanization is increasing rapidly. What are your plans for balanced development?
As cities grow with globalization, villages also grow. Villages are turning into cities. It is a pleasing development that the villages are growing without negatively affecting agriculture. The AIADMK government will strive to achieve this.
How do you evaluate the economic and employment performance of the current government?
The current DMK government is only inaugurating industries that were established during the AIADMK regime, which spanned from 2011 to 2021. No new projects were launched during the last five years of DMK rule. The election promise of creating one million jobs a year and employing a total of five million people remains only on paper. We will spearhead an industrial revolution under the AIADMK government that will come to power in 2026. We will provide employment opportunities to young people from all segments of society.
How do you manage the different ideologies and expectations of your allies while adapting?
Finding unity in diversity is the guiding principle of the AIADMK. Therefore, we will act by taking into account the sensitivities of our alliance partners. There is no problem between us.
How do you deal with internal party challenges and maintain discipline in your ranks?
Those working against the party from within were identified and weeded out. Our movement has been cleared. We all work together in unity, without any signs of resentment.
If you vote into power, what steps will you take to attract investments and increase employment opportunities for young people?
We have created various plans to increase public revenues in a way that does not negatively affect the public. However, it would not be right to disclose these details at this stage. We will develop infrastructure across Tamil Nadu and expand employment opportunities for everyone, whether educated or uneducated, tailored to their qualifications. Unlike the DMK government, we will not deceive the people with false promises.
