‘There was latent anger against Thambi Durai in the constituency’
T.K. Rohit
CHENNAI, MAY 27, 2019 00:00 IST
Congress’s victorious Karur candidate says democracy is not about money power
Young Congress leader S. Jothimani has emerged as the ‘giant killer’ in the Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu, having defeated AIADMK propaganda secretary and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha M. Thambi Durai by a margin of over 4 lakh votes in Karur. In an interview, the candidate handpicked by Congress president Rahul Gandhi reflects on her victory and more. Excerpts:
Having lost two elections – the last time you polled just about 30,000 votes in Karur – you have emerged as a giant killer. How did this happen?
In Tamil Nadu, there was a wave in favour of the DMK-led alliance and against [Prime Minister] Modi. Also, people generally have this perception about politicians that they are all rich. I was exactly the opposite.
The view against my candidature both within the party and outside was that I did not have money, and so, why waste a seat? I think this reached the voters. But our president Rahul Gandhi was very clear that honest people, those who have done work among the people, cannot be denied a ticket just because they don’t have money. I can clearly say that he pushed my case, and the DMK accepted my candidature wholeheartedly.
And you trounced Thambi Durai…
Mr. Thambi Durai is a senior leader in the AIADMK. He is a four-time MP. It ill-behoves someone of his stature to make the claim that Jothimani doesn’t have money and hence he will win.
Democracy is not about a fight between people with money power. Fighting opponents on ideology and policies is democracy; it is not a fight between two rich people.
The Centre, the State government and the district administration put a lot of roadblocks during our campaign. But there was latent anger against Mr. Thambi Durai in the constituency. My victory is not an individual’s win; it is a victory for the common people, [for] every single citizen.
Was there acrimony on the field because Senthil Balaji, who used to be with the AIADMK, was now in the opposition camp?
No. They did not target him. If you look at the Aravakurichi (where he contested) campaign, you will see that. The AIADMK wanted to protect Mr. Thambi Durai, and hence, targeted me. The people also were looking at what was happening. In the final phase of campaigning, they even resorted to violence, and even physically attacked some voters. Still, the voters stood by us.
What was the DMK’s role in your victory?
The DMK worked extremely hard and took my candidature to the last mile.
Four districts come under my constituency and four district secretaries of the DMK — Chakrapani, K.N. Nehru, Chellapandi and Senthil Balaji — put their weight behind the campaign and ensured that every cadre worked for my victory.
The DMK president campaigned for me vigorously. He walked in the sweltering afternoon heat to seek votes for me.
What are your plans for the constituency?
First, water issues are to be resolved. I am in a situation where more than 25 years of non-development...I have to resolve in five years. Educated men and women are unable to find jobs.
We have started work to set up a skill development mission that we will launch on [former PM] Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary on August 20.
We will set up a toll-free line for women’s safety and take up the issues posed by Goods and Services Tax.
Rahul Gandhi pushed my case,
T.K. Rohit
CHENNAI, MAY 27, 2019 00:00 IST
Congress’s victorious Karur candidate says democracy is not about money power
Young Congress leader S. Jothimani has emerged as the ‘giant killer’ in the Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu, having defeated AIADMK propaganda secretary and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha M. Thambi Durai by a margin of over 4 lakh votes in Karur. In an interview, the candidate handpicked by Congress president Rahul Gandhi reflects on her victory and more. Excerpts:
Having lost two elections – the last time you polled just about 30,000 votes in Karur – you have emerged as a giant killer. How did this happen?
In Tamil Nadu, there was a wave in favour of the DMK-led alliance and against [Prime Minister] Modi. Also, people generally have this perception about politicians that they are all rich. I was exactly the opposite.
The view against my candidature both within the party and outside was that I did not have money, and so, why waste a seat? I think this reached the voters. But our president Rahul Gandhi was very clear that honest people, those who have done work among the people, cannot be denied a ticket just because they don’t have money. I can clearly say that he pushed my case, and the DMK accepted my candidature wholeheartedly.
And you trounced Thambi Durai…
Mr. Thambi Durai is a senior leader in the AIADMK. He is a four-time MP. It ill-behoves someone of his stature to make the claim that Jothimani doesn’t have money and hence he will win.
Democracy is not about a fight between people with money power. Fighting opponents on ideology and policies is democracy; it is not a fight between two rich people.
The Centre, the State government and the district administration put a lot of roadblocks during our campaign. But there was latent anger against Mr. Thambi Durai in the constituency. My victory is not an individual’s win; it is a victory for the common people, [for] every single citizen.
Was there acrimony on the field because Senthil Balaji, who used to be with the AIADMK, was now in the opposition camp?
No. They did not target him. If you look at the Aravakurichi (where he contested) campaign, you will see that. The AIADMK wanted to protect Mr. Thambi Durai, and hence, targeted me. The people also were looking at what was happening. In the final phase of campaigning, they even resorted to violence, and even physically attacked some voters. Still, the voters stood by us.
What was the DMK’s role in your victory?
The DMK worked extremely hard and took my candidature to the last mile.
Four districts come under my constituency and four district secretaries of the DMK — Chakrapani, K.N. Nehru, Chellapandi and Senthil Balaji — put their weight behind the campaign and ensured that every cadre worked for my victory.
The DMK president campaigned for me vigorously. He walked in the sweltering afternoon heat to seek votes for me.
What are your plans for the constituency?
First, water issues are to be resolved. I am in a situation where more than 25 years of non-development...I have to resolve in five years. Educated men and women are unable to find jobs.
We have started work to set up a skill development mission that we will launch on [former PM] Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary on August 20.
We will set up a toll-free line for women’s safety and take up the issues posed by Goods and Services Tax.
Rahul Gandhi pushed my case,
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