We have won many seats in rural areas and captured several panchayats. They claim we are a north Indian party, but Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka are not north Indian states. In Andhra Pradesh, the government was functioning with the support of BJP. We will also win more seats in Tamil Nadu.
PM Narendra Modi talks to Ashokha Varshini and Saleem S
Chennai:
But why was the party not able to establish itself in south India?
No, we have won the election in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. There is no doubt that we are growing in the South too.
In Tamil Nadu, BJP’s allies AIADMK and PMK accord priority to state issues. As you had also been a CM of a state, you would probably know this. At the same time, BJP being a national party, how would you manage the disagreements on safeguarding national interest and rights of the states?
Congress is the reason for the losses faced by the country. Congress had dissolved state governments more than 100 times invoking Article 356. It had dissolved MGR’s government too.
For nation’s growth, coordination with state governments is imperative. To safeguard federalism, there should be good understanding between state and central governments. At the same time, the country’s interest should also be considered. State and central government should work in tandem to resolve issues.
Tamil Nadu faces problems over water needs and NEET
I know the issues faced by the state. We have explained the solutions for Tamil Nadu’s issues in our manifesto. To my knowledge, water is a major problem. We will set up a separate ministry to deal such issues by allocating funds for rainwater harvesting, desalination projects, interlinking of rivers and others.
Actor Rajinikanth also lauded the interlinking of rivers promise made in the manifesto…
I thank Rajinikanth for that. Generally, he will think twice before making political statements.
Though Rajinikanth announced his political plunge, he is yet to launch his party. As a brother, what will be your advice to him?
I’ll talk about that when I meet him.
Will you ask him to enter politics or continue acting in films?
I will advise him in person. Why should I advise through media?
In the Thanthi TV survey on the impact on Central government schemes in the state, there is a positive response for Fasal Bima Yojana but there is a criticism that it takes about one year for farmers to get crop insurance amount. What is your explanation for this?
It is true that there was delay in disbursal of insurance amount. But the reason for the delay was identified and rectified. The government had also ordered to slap fine in case of delay in disbursal of cash. Farmers of Tamil Nadu were paid Rs 5,000 crore so far. When there is growth, people will surely be benefitted.
How do you evaluate your performance in past five years? What will you do if you come to power again, especially for Tamil Nadu?
Most of the promises made in 2014 have been fulfilled. We will fulfil remaining assurances too. Tamil Nadu plays a major role in the country’s overall economic growth. Tamil Nadu is a rapidly developing state and we will support it in its march.
Why BJP is struggling to establish itself in all other south Indian states other than Karnataka?
This is totally contrary to fact. First, they said that the BJP was a north Indian party. Then they labelled us as a pro-urban party and only for the upper class. But BJP has MPs from Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes too. We have won many seats in rural areas and captured several panchayats. They claim we are a north Indian party, but Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka are not north Indian states. In Andhra Pradesh, the government was functioning with the support of BJP. We will also win more seats in Tamil Nadu.
But why was the party not able to establish itself in south India?
No, we have won the election in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. There is no doubt that we are growing in the South too.
In Tamil Nadu, BJP’s allies AIADMK and PMK accord priority to state issues. As you had also been a CM of a state, you would probably know this. At the same time, BJP being a national party, how would you manage the disagreements on safeguarding national interest and rights of the states?
Congress is the reason for the losses faced by the country. Congress had dissolved state governments more than 100 times invoking Article 356. It had dissolved MGR’s government too.
For nation’s growth, coordination with state governments is imperative. To safeguard federalism, there should be good understanding between state and central governments. At the same time, the country’s interest should also be considered. State and central government should work in tandem to resolve issues.
Tamil Nadu faces problems over water needs and NEET
I know the issues faced by the state. We have explained the solutions for Tamil Nadu’s issues in our manifesto. To my knowledge, water is a major problem. We will set up a separate ministry to deal such issues by allocating funds for rainwater harvesting, desalination projects, interlinking of rivers and others.
Actor Rajinikanth also lauded the interlinking of rivers promise made in the manifesto…
I thank Rajinikanth for that. Generally, he will think twice before making political statements.
Though Rajinikanth announced his political plunge, he is yet to launch his party. As a brother, what will be your advice to him?
I’ll talk about that when I meet him.
Will you ask him to enter politics or continue acting in films?
I will advise him in person. Why should I advise through media?
In the Thanthi TV survey on the impact on Central government schemes in the state, there is a positive response for Fasal Bima Yojana but there is a criticism that it takes about one year for farmers to get crop insurance amount. What is your explanation for this?
It is true that there was delay in disbursal of insurance amount. But the reason for the delay was identified and rectified. The government had also ordered to slap fine in case of delay in disbursal of cash. Farmers of Tamil Nadu were paid Rs 5,000 crore so far. When there is growth, people will surely be benefitted.
How do you evaluate your performance in past five years? What will you do if you come to power again, especially for Tamil Nadu?
Most of the promises made in 2014 have been fulfilled. We will fulfil remaining assurances too. Tamil Nadu plays a major role in the country’s overall economic growth. Tamil Nadu is a rapidly developing state and we will support it in its march.