My win in 2014 dismisses outsider theory

PMK youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss created history when he was elected from Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituency in 2014 without the support of either of two major Dravidian parties, a first in the last 50 years. He is seeking re-election from the same segment on TN-Karnataka border. In the midst of his tight campaign schedule, he spoke to DT Next about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, long-term projects that he has for Dharmapuri and the diverse views held by alliance partners.

Q: You are an outsider to the constituency. Has the electorate accepted you?

 Though I may be from Villupuram district, I had served Dharmapuri constituency for 20 years. Even before becoming a Rajya Sabha member, I have fought and brought several welfare schemes for the state. The modernised railway station in Dharmapuri was inaugurated by me and as a Union Health Minister, I approved the setting up of a medical college in Dharmapuri. Hence, people do not see me as an outsider. A testimony to this fact is the defeat of many candidates who were from Dharmapuri in the last election. Wherever I go, I am getting a grand reception.

Q: List the major projects implemented by you in the last five years as Dharmapuri MP? Will they hold the key for your victory for the second time?

 One of the major projects for which I took great effort is the 38-km long railway line between Morappur and Dharmapuri. Believe it or not, it was pending for 78 years. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal recently laid the foundation stone for the line, a long-time demand of the residents of the district. Once the track is completed, Dharmapuri will become an important railway junction. Besides, I strived for establishment of a SIPCOT in Nallampalli. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced the same when he came to Dharmapuri for the election campaign. 

Q: How will a railway line and a SIPCOT change the fortunes of Dharmapuri people?

 If Dharmapuri is linked with Morappur, then the district, which is on Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, will automatically get elevated into an important junction connecting three major destinations - Bengaluru, Salem and Chennai. Salem became an industrial hub only after a railway junction came into existence. Many industries will set up shop in Dharmapuri if it gets a railway junction. Similarly, the SIPCOT in Nallampalli will bring industries to the district. People from Dharmapuri, who are working as labourers in Bengaluru, can return to their hometown and find jobs in the SIPCOT units.

Q: Water is one of the perennial issues in the district. What are the measures initiated by you to address it?

 Dharmapuri district is flanked by the Cauvery and Thenpennai rivers. Yet, there is a scarcity of water. I have identified 14 water schemes in the district, some of which are pending for more than 50 years. For instance, Jaganathan Komban project is pending since the time of former minister Kallan, who laid the foundation stone for the project. Out of the 14, I have managed to get funds for seven schemes. I have also urged the state government to utilise the excess water from the Cauvery at Hogenakkal to fill the waterbodies in the entire district. If the project is implemented, 80 per cent of water bodies in the district will get filled and the initiative will also boost ground water table. 

Q: You were one of the litigants in the Chennai- Salem expressway project and the High Court has ruled in favour of you. However, your allies the AIADMK and the BJP support the project and have said that they will go an appeal. Will this affect your alliance?

 No, the judgment will not have any impact on our alliance, as we have mentioned clearly in our election manifesto that we are against the project. A meeting of our alliance partners will take place soon to resolve the issue amicably. I will urge the state government not to go for an appeal. At the same time, I will also file a caveat petition to ensure that our views are heard in the case. The PMK is not a party that is against development, but we don’t want agriculture land and environment to be destroyed. As far as the Chennai-Salem expressway is concerned, there is no real need for it as there are already two stretches connecting Chennai with Salem. Those can be widened. For instance, if the National Highways 179 A between Vaniyambadi and Salem is widened, the travel time between Chennai and Salem will be reduced to just four hours. As much as Rs 521 crore had been already allotted for it. The government can focus on this project. 

Q: DMK president M K Stalin, in his tweet, has asked whether you will come out of the alliance if you fail to convince the AIADMK against appealing the High Court verdict on the expressway project. What are your thoughts on this?

 Stalin does not have the right to question me on this issue. The DMK had been supporting the project from the beginning and had even spoken in its favour in the Assembly. They did not stage a single protest. On the other hand, we have obtained the views of the people, protested with them and filed a petition in the High Court.