There is certainly something different about Tamizhachi Thangapandian’s voice, even when she says ‘hello’. “Yeah, I’m close to losing my voice. I think it’s because of all the juices, water and buttermilk I’ve had on the campaign,” she says. Not a newbie to campaigning, hailing from a political family, this will still be her first campaign for herself, and it is special. This litterateur and academic is now serenading politics, and in a discussion in which Simone de Beauvoir, Periyar and village diety Muthallathaman feature, she manages to be both studied, and spontaneous.
Did you always have political ambition?
I didn’t have any political ambition, really. Generally, I’m not really an ambitious person. I’m the type that the experience of the picnic is more important than the destination itself. But I had have a political journey, right from birth. In 2007, I quit my job as a professor, after I had an opportunity to hoist a DMK flag at the Tirunelveli state conference, and began my foray into the mainstream party affairs. I started with the art and culture wing, which Kanimozhi (Karunanidhi) led then. Once the party positions came, I began to start initiating things. My father (Thangapandian) used to say, if you have political clout, you should use it to do things that you and your party believe in.
Who chose the South Chennai constituency?
I chose it. I have been in Chennai from 1987, and this city has given me a lot of experiences. For me, the seaside, and the cultural part of Chennai which I have been associated with, has been in the south of the city. So I thought this constituency would be good for me.
Who are your mentors?
Periyar, Anna, Kalaignar (M.Karunanidhi). I’ve also spoken about Castro, and Vellupillai Prabhakaran. I’ve admired Aung San Suu Kyi for her aesthetic sense.
Your entry into politics was preceded by family discussions?
Yes, indeed. Both my girls, who are now campaigning for me, asked: Are you ready/prepared for this? If you are very sure, go ahead. The one person who said go ahead, without any question was my husband.
My mother was ecstatic, she has always wanted me to get into politics, and my brother Thangam Thennarasu (former minister in the DMK government) has always been a great support, personally and politically. It will be a different experience for you, though I have campaigned in the past for my brother and father. I believe you need to give a little bit of yourself, only then you will get back, manifold.
What are your priority areas of concern in South Chennai?
Broadly, the Pallikaranai marshland and the Perungudi dumpyard, both need immediate attention. The DMK had a plan for the Perungudi dumpyard – to isolate the wastes in a small area and then, develop the rest of the area as a park. We will look at smoothening traffic wrinkles along the IT corridor, people have been asking for the MRTS train to run from Tiruvanmiyur to Mammallapuram. We also have our eye on an MRTS service between St. Thomas Mount and Velachery. This will attack the root cause of the problem.
The water problem is what people in all areas are complaining about. Wherever I go, women and youngsters are standing in line or running to fetch water in pots and buckets. It was the DMK government that set up the desalination plant in 2010, and we believe the only genuine solution is to set up one more desalination plant in the south.
Flooding during the Chennai floods of 2015 affected South Chennai badly. We need to focus on desilting river mouths, and freeing up the flood plains for free flow of water.
Making sure local body polls are conducting is also top on our agenda, besides setting up a multi-speciality government hospital in Sholinganallur, once the DMK is in power.
Do you believe an MP can really be involved in local issues?
Certainly. I think you can choose how to spend the resources you are sanctioned to benefit the people who have elected you. You also get the opportunity to represent the state’s issues in Parliament, in line with party principles.
As a litterateur, feminist issues have been close to your work. But your party has allotted two seats for women…
I have a very reasonable answer to this question. One should not judge the importance a party gives women merely by the number of seats that it allocates to them. The leader, in an alliance, has to consider so many pressurising demands and considerations from partners. Look at the history of the party – it was Kalaignar who make women’s right to property legal, and reserved 33 per cent for women in local bodies.
Representing the DMK, known for its leaders’ atheism, do you feel confident about getting the votes in South Chennai?
The DMK has never been against religion; we always respect others’ beliefs. At home, for instance, my mother is a staunch Vaishnavite, and my father was a Periyarite – a non believer. That is how we grew up. I have an interest in Vaishnavite literature, and in the legends of village deities. We do not interfere in others’ beliefs.
How do you rate your chances versus that of your opponents?
I’m taking this thing very positively, and I'm being quite insular. I’m looking only at how I perform on the field - taking ahead my party’s agenda, reaching out to the people with genuine warmth. I sincerely believe I can do whatever we have promised.
Given the large number from the fishing community in the constituency and the AIADMK picking a member from the community (J. Jayavardhan ) to represent it, do you think it will put you at a disadvantage?
The DMK has always stood strong by the fishermen, and they know it too. During the protests to stop the demolition of the Queen Marys College in which I participated, where we were locked in for a few days, it was the fishermen and women who bailed us out, with food, security and emotional support. We also opposed the beautification of the Marina programme. People won’t forget all this.
Will you still be inspired to write?
Most certainly! Even the journey of this one month has given me a lot of moments that have been emotional. Once, during the campaign, someone from the slum handed me a copy of a translated work of Simone De Beauvoir. Isn’t that absolutely fascinating? There are so many stories waiting to be told.