AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran: “We support BJP because the country needs a good PM.”

TTV Dhinakaran, the general secretary of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam and the candidate for the Theni Lok Sabha seat, chats with Jeyalakshmi Ramanujam on his chances of winning and the party’s partnership with the BJP.

In the Lok Sabha elections of 1999, you were elected from Periyakulam, however, in the next election, you were not elected from the same seat. After 20 years, as a candidate, how are people reacting to your return to the area?

Even though I served as an MP with distinction from 1999 to 2004, political circumstances prevented AIADMK from winning this time around. In light of the other candidates’ vote shares, my 21,155 vote loss was acceptable. I became a Rajya Sabha MP as a result of Amma (J Jayalalithaa). You may see what I have done to improve the wellbeing of the people if you go to any hamlet in the Theni constituency. A few of the many initiatives are the combined drinking project and the Government Medical College Hospitals at Andipatti and Sedapatti. The residents in this constituency welcomed me even though it had been 14 years since I had visited.

Both of your main rivals, VT Narayanasamy (AIADMK) and Thanga Tamilselvan (DMK), once belonged to the AIADMK. Do you anticipate a split of the votes as a result?

The death of J Jayalalithaa has meant the dissolution of the original AIADMK party. Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s party is now in power, and in an effort to keep the NDA coalition from winning, he nominated candidates wearing two leaves. Since DMK adheres to a “anti-people policy,” the candidate’s Theni dream will not come true.

Given that you and the DMK’s Thanga Tamilselvan are from the same community, whoever do you believe the Theni community vote bank will support?

The constituency of Theni is multicultural. Since 1952, candidates from this seat, including Muslims, have been elected. No matter how effective community-based campaigns are, voters will always choose the appropriate candidate.

Do you believe that even with AIADMK out of the coalition, the BJP alliance would be able to win over voters?

I did not have an arrangement with the BJP when I founded AMMK. However, the AMMK joined the NDA coalition because we want to choose a decent prime minister for the country. In order to carry out development initiatives in Theni, if elected, I will want the PM’s assistance. Between 1999 and 2004, I introduced many welfare initiatives to the area with the backing of J Jayalalithaa, the supremo of the AIADMK.

Regarding the Kodanad murder case, which is being handled by your relatives, do you have any suspicions?

I had also been detained at the time, and my aunt Sasikala was incarcerated. It was only a watchman. The people who went inside the house thought Amma had documents on dishonest ministers under her care. Everyone engaged in this theft and murder episode is widely known to the public.

You claim to be abiding by Jayalalithaa’s beliefs, although she was always opposed to a coalition with the BJP. What defense can you provide for AMMK’s partnership with the saffron party?

We would have taken Amma’s side if she had still been among us. Now, the country needs a capable prime minister. As a result, AMMK has made this stance in favor of Narendra Modi, whose leadership is highly regarded by world leaders.

What is your opinion on EPS’s prospects and his critiques of you?

The identity of the person who chose EPS as CM is generally known. When my aunt Sasikala was incarcerated, he drove her out. He is ineligible to criticize other people. Tamil Nadu voters are going to give him a lesson by voting against his nominees.

The reason the AIADMK split, according to Thanga Tamilselvan, was you. What’s your reaction on this?

I don’t want to respond to him only to waste time. Once he was dismissed from AIADMK, he lived with me for 2.5 years. I wonder why he did it.

Well-known figures like as PMK Ramadoss and O Panneerselvam have partnered with the NDA coalition. Do you believe that this will aid in Tennessee’s seat gains for the alliance?

Tamil Nadu residents are upset with the DMK administration. Voters are being divided by Edappadi K Palaniswami. However, a sizable number of seats will go to the NDA coalition, and Narendra Modi will be re-elected as prime minister.

Will the AMMK and BJP’s cooperation last in the next assembly election as well?

Indeed, it will go on.