Everybody says ‘I’m the winner’ 

After Campaigning For The RK Nagar Byelection Ended, TOI Spoke To The Constituency’s Three Main Contenders

‘People’s lives haven’t been made better by AIADMK’

He is the son of the soil and has campaigned across the constituency on foot. Marudhu Ganesh is very confident of winning the byelection despite complaints of money distribution by various political parties to the voters. Ganesh spoke to B Sivakumar a few hours before the campaign ended.

How confident are you of winning?

I am winning this bypoll. People want better infrastructure, drinking water and sanitation. They are angry with former chief minister J Jayalalithaa for not providing them basic facilities. There are areas in the constituency which do not have a single bank.

Are you worried about money distribution to voters?

Not all voters want money. A majority of them are workers and earn their money. Our party is not giving any money to the voters. People who want the constituency to develop will definitely vote for the DMK.

Why have the people of RK Nagar preferred the AIADMK continuously since 1996?

People have been carried away by the promises the AIADMK had made. I have seen people standing in queues for nearly one hour on Tuesdays. They used to pay ₹100 to write a petition seeking job, house or ration cards. They used to pay ₹300 to get a place in the queue. But their lives have not been made better by the AIADMK. Voters have been cheated.

Did you get support from your party leadership and the allies during the campaign?

All senior leaders from my party including Thalapathi [M K Stalin] campaigned for me. Similarly all alliance party leaders campaigned.

You don’t have experience in the legislature and your party is in opposition. Why should people vote for you?

I have been a journalist and have written about the problems faced by the people. Almost all party leaders used to call me to complain about problems in their areas. My leader has promised to adopt RK Nagar. Thus there is no problem in getting the government to solve problems of the people.

If elected, what are the things you would do for the constituency?

Drinking water is a big problem here. Our leader has said water from the Minjur desal plant will be supplied to the constituency and this will solve the water problem. Other things include building a crematorium, desilting the Buckingham Canal and restrict running of goods train to night to prevent traffic blockade during daytime.

‘Disqualify wrong-doers, we’ve no second opinion’

The AIADMK has the highest stakes in the RK Nagar byelection and has left no stone unturned to ensure it bags the seat represented by the late J Jayalalithaa. Sweeping aside allegations of money distribution, fisheries minister D Jayakumar tells Julie Mariappan why people will ensure that the party wins with a ‘thumping majority’.

There are allegations against the AIADMK for distributing money. What’s your reaction?

We never thought of winning elections through shortcuts. It is the DMK which introduced the notorious ‘Thirumangalam formula’. Both the DMK and T T V Dhinakaran seek to influence voters with money. People are clear and content under the AIADMK.

How crucial is this election given that the party approached the EC to ensure smooth conduct of polls?

We are confident. There is a great awakening in the party, especially after reclaiming the symbol and party name. This is our first election (after the passing away of Jayalalithaa) and people are happy about our feat (union). Though we don’t call it crucial, we are hoping for a Himalayan victory.

Going by some surveys, TTV seems a threat. Will you pull it off?

TTV is not at all a force to reckon with. How will people accept him when he contests against Amma’s party and ‘two leaves’? Surveys never reflect the truth and 2011 assembly poll is a classic example. We will win with a thumping majority.

The heads of government and administrative machinery are focusing on one constituency for a fortnight. Doesn’t it reflect desperation?

How could we not work for the party’s victory? Party and government are our eyes. It is our responsibility to strive hard for the party’s welfare. At the same time, we ensure the administration runs smoothly. While the corporation and police heads act as commission officials, the others are undisturbed.

There is a growing demand to disqualify candidates indulging in malpractice? Does the AIADMK agree with this?

I totally agree. Whoever commits the offence should be punished and my party endorses the view. Let the election commission find out the wrongdoers. We do not have a second opinion on disqualifying.

R K Nagar seems to have set a precedent on corruption and voter bribing. Is this here to stay?

We are law-abiding people with faith in democracy. But our rivals wander the streets to distribute money for votes. People will not accept them.

‘My win will bring change in government, politics’

He lost the battle for ‘two leaves’ but for T T V Dhinakaran the war is not over. The rebel AIADMK leader, who claims that the ruling dispensation is scared of him, tells Julie Mariappan why his victory is a ‘foregone conclusion’.

You said ‘two leaves’ is dead and the ‘hat’ too, but the ‘cooker’ symbol reached the electorate. How did you manage that?

People were waiting for the bypoll to elect me in whichever symbol I contest. Minutes after I was allotted cooker on December 7, residents of Cherian Nagar welcomed me with cookers. The sound of cooker reverberates everywhere. The government will be punished for ignoring Amma’s constituency.

The April bypoll was cancelled on voter bribery charges. Rivals have accused you of repeating the offence.

There is no need for me to bribe voters. If I am elected, people know the constituency will benefit and the aspirations to see a change in government and politics realised. The poor are aware of the political developments and my arrest. They want my victory.

The AIADMK has complained to the EC that you and the DMK are colluding to bribe voters and blame it on the AIADMK.

Why would I bribe to help Madhusudanan win? Instead we might as well boycott the byelection like our opponents did when Amma (Jayalalithaa) contested in 2014. This is the height of betrayal. We do not have any tie-up with the DMK.

The I-T department raided a popular cooker store in North Chennai. Your comment?

They even checked a showroombound truck loaded with cookers. It shows the fear of the ruling camp. The state and central governments are making all attempts to see that I am defeated. I give neither cookers nor cash for votes. My victory is a foregone conclusion.

The cabinet worked for your victory in April. You have none this time. What is your prospect?

The fact that they are not with me is a massive victory. People like us because these traitors don’t stand beside us. When I visited Anitha’s residence (NEET petitioner, who committed suicide), they allowed me, but not ministers and MLAs.

If you win, what would it imply?

The victory will bring in a massive change in politics and government within a short span. My victory will be an endorsement of the people of Tamil Nadu.