Begin typing your search...
‘Parties like IUML, MMK support DMK due to compulsions’
Tehlan Baqavi, State President, Social Democratic Party of India, faces a tough fight in the Central Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, where he is pitted against DMK’s Dayanidhi Maran and PMK’s Sam Paul.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Ahead of the April 18 polls, he spoke to DT Next on various issues, including tying-up with the TTV Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) and his chances of winning the election.
Q: A majority of the Muslim parties and outfits have expressed support to the DMK, but the SDPI is contesting in alliance with the AMMK. Will this not divide the Muslim votes?
The SDPI is a party for the general public with Muslims as office bearers. We are different from other Muslim parties as we do not soften our stand and views in favour of either the DMK or the AIADMK. Parties like the IUML and the MMK have supported the DMK due to compulsions. In the case of Central Chennai, the public are unhappy with ‘crorepati’ Dayanidhi Maran, who is a non-performer and often inaccesible to the common man. Hence, the minorities in Central Chennai will vote for the SDPI.
Q: The SDPI is a minority driven party. How will you garner votes in a diversified constituency like Central Chennai taking on the DMK and AIADMK alliances?
We have the backing of the AMMK, which is led by TTV Dhinakaran. The upcoming election is about defeating the BJP and its allies. Further, the hatred among people against the DMK for promoting nepotism and rich candidates is still there. Even DMK cadre are upset with Maran. Factors like the vote against Modi and an ‘inaccesible’ Dayanidhi Maran are in my favour. The PMK candidate Sam Paul is not in the race and I am not taking him as aserious contender.
Q: Why is your party not contesting on an independent symbol, instead choosing to contest on the symbol allotted to your alliance partner the AMMK?
We wanted to contest on our symbol, but now the AMMK is not a registered party and is treated as an independent by the ECI. We are contesting on the ‘gift pack’ symbol as an independent just like the AMMK. The form A and B in this regard have been submitted by the SDPI. As a result, both our identity and thealliance with AMMK is benefited.
Q: DMK’s Dayanidhi Maran and PMK’s Sam Paul are cash-rich candidates backed by the Dravidian majors. Are you not a weak candidate?
The only weakness is that we don’t have much money to spend. Even the election commission’s permitted ceiling of Rs 70 lakh is a big amount for us. The SDPI and AMMK cadre are working free of cost. Both the DMK and the AIADMK are spending money to drive their campaign, whereas we are providing only food to our functionaries. Cash cannot buy votes and in the last elections Dayanidhi Maran lost to a novice S R Vijayakumar (AIADMK).
Q: The basic gesture that every candidate does to appeal to the electorate is to fold their hands and say ‘vanakkam’. But you are different, isn’t it?
People know my religious sentiments and when I greet them they respond. I don’t want to act like other candidates wearing a skull cap and ask for votes with a ‘vanakkam’. There are also people who suddenly mushroom near the mosque with a skull cap just ahead of polls seeking votes. I don’t want to pretend for the sake of votes, but I will reach out to every voter in Central Chennai seeking their support.
Q: What is your poll promise for the residents of Central Chennai?
I am not promising big things to the voters. They can reach me with their grievances. Maran, a two-time MP from the same constituency, has done nothing. AIADMK’s S R Vijayakumar is suffering anti-incumbency. I am a resident of Central Chennai and will make myself available forpublic service.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android
Next Story
