Let Kamal, Rajini enter politics and see, I will not warn them what it is like being in this field: Vijayakanth

Looking dapper and somewhat slimmer, in an exclusive interview to DTNext, Vijayakanth spoke at length on various issues, including the prevailing political situation in Tamil Nadu. Although he has not been in the media glare recently, Vijayakanth exuded complete confidence in reinforcing his political career. “I am like Martin Luther King. One of his wonderful traits is to bounce back after failures. I will bounce back as well,” he said.

From being a successful actor to the leader of the Opposition, to losing the state party status in the 2016 state elections, Vijayakanth, in the 11 years of floating the DMDK, has certainly scaled great heights, but has touched the nadir as well.

When asked about Kamal Haasan announcing his political entry and Rajinikanth reportedly readying to do the same on the plank of rampant corruption in the state, Vijayankanth said that he has nothing to say to them.

“Let them foray into politics. I will not warn them or tell them what it is like to be in this field. There are many other people who are ready to warn them. Kamal has been talking of corruption in the system or maybe Vishal. Where were these people when Jayalalithaa was around? Why didn’t they come out and make statements? She too ran a corrupt government and I was the only person to highlight it and voice my opinion against not only Jaya but also against Karunanidhi. However, I do not regret that they have been misinterpreted.

There are people who say that I’m a misfit in politics because I am naive. But I believe, there should be a person like me among the corrupt politicians, who have been elected by the people as their representatives.

I have nothing but pity for those votes which are being sold for Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000,” he said. Pausing briefly, he alleged that in the 2016 Assembly elections, the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had spent a huge sum to ensure that his rival candidate, Kumaraguru won against him in Rishivandiyam.

Commenting on the general perception that the DMK Working President MK Stalin was poised to be the next Chief Minister in the event of an election, Vijayakanth said it was a failure on the part of Stalin in not toppling the Edappadi Palaniswami government yet. “Had Karunanidhi been fit, he would have toppled the government, as he possessed the political acumen and the knowledge to handle such things,” Vijayakanth said.

He also took a dig at Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar. “Chennai is reeling under a severe dengue infection but we have a health minister like Vijaya Bhaskar, who still says that things are normal. The government has been conning people.

However, they will know the truth when I come to power,” he said, with a sense of confidence.

When asked about his stand on the controversy surrounding Jayalalithaa’s death, Vijayakanth said, “O Panneerselvam (OPS) was the first one to come up with such a demand, much before Stalin. We all know that OPS is a better actor than Sivaji Ganesan. Therefore, I do not want to delve further into this issue.”

He also said that his party was ready to face the state elections in the near future and the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. “We are at various stages of discussions. We will make the announcement once our general body meeting takes place. We have made proper arrangements in all the 234 constituencies and are ready to face the elections and emerge winners. Who knows, I may also win the elections without forming an alliance,” he said.

As far as the state elections are concerned, he said, “I have been hearing from various sources that the government will be dissolved before the end of this month. Bring it on and we will win.” But will this election see the prominence of BJP in Tamil Nadu?

“Only traitors, backstabbers and cadres expelled from other parties can form a part of BJP in Tamil Nadu. I do not think BJP will dominate here in the upcoming elections.”