How do you view this election as compared to the past one?
We have a huge alliance this time. I would say it is a winning alliance as there is tremendous chemistry. Public sentiments are with us. So, for me, it is completely a different experience contesting in this election when compared with 2014. I know the strength of political parties in Tamil Nadu. I am not naïve. I understand the political reality, and believe that the prime factor for any election in Tamil Nadu is an alliance. Then comes the party and the candidate. So this time, we have a formidable alliance, which is akin to what we had in 2004 when we swept the elections
What are your promises to the constituency?
I think the first issue is to displace the fascist Modi government and that is the underlined sentiment of the state. There always overarching reasons why people vote. In Parliament elections, people vote not based on their micro needs in their locality even though those issues do get highlighted. This time people are voting against the government that is responsible for economic downturn and creating uneasiness among minorities. People are feeling the pain because of Prime Minister’s anti-Tamil stand, poor relief for Gaja cyclone and mess created due to GST and demonetisation. Congress party has made a lot of promises for the welfare of the people.
Of late, Tamil Nadu has been witnessing numerous protests against infrastructure and industrial projects. Is Tamil Nadu missing the development story?
I think it is because of the inept government at the state and indifferent attitude of the Central Government towards Tamil Nadu. So a combination of both has had a negative multiplier effect. I don’t think Tamil Nadu is a state of protest. We are actually a state that wants economic progress. But we had a very inept government for the last eight years, because of which Tamil Nadu lost out in the development process.