BJP’s Hindutva ideology is alien to Tamil Nadu: IUML president

Forgetting their roots and past, AIADMK leaders have colluded with the BJP and allowed it to propagate its ideology, which poses threat to social harmony and Dravidianism, said IUML national president K M Kader Mohideen, in an interview to Shanmughasundaram J. He said former CMs M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa never allowed anti-secular forces to gain ground in TN.
How is this election different from earlier elections?
It is a fight between Dravidian ideology and those opposing it. Dravidian ideology will triumph.
How do you see the growth of the BJP in Tamil Nadu and its performance in the April 6 polls?
The BJP and its Hindutva ideology are alien to TN. People here are more religious than anybody else in the country. They believe in communal harmony and universal brotherhood. The BJP’s divisive politics will not work here. It will be a repeat of 2019 LS polls.
Don’t AIADMK leaders say they will guard minorities?
The EPS government has extended financial aid for pilgrimage and Wakf Board, but failed to understand minorities’ sentiments. The CAA and Triple Talaq Acts are dead against the the spirit and sentiments of minorities. The AIADMK extended support to these bills. AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran and former CM Jayalalithaa were dead against the BJP, RSS and their Hindutva policies. They never allowed these forces to enter TN during their times. MG condemned RSS in those days and Jayalalithaa snapped the alliance with the BJP and apologised to the people. She said she would not repeat such mistakes. Forgetting all that, the present AIADMK leadership has colluded with the BJP.
What will be the impact of the third front and entry of Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM?
The people of Vaniyambadi have realised their mistake of voting for his party (Owaisi) in the 2016 elections. It helped AIADMK candidate (Nilofer Kafeel) win. Now they are very clear and will vote for the DMK front. As regards the third front, 85% of people choose between DMK and AIADMK fronts. Third front will have no impact.
Many political critics say anti-incumbency is not evident. What is your view?
What (AIADMK) has done is less and what they have undone is more in the last 10 years. Corruption, even during the pandemic, was rampant. They have failed on many fronts. People are dead against this government.