I. Periyasamy confident of DMK’s victory in Assembly election

In a free-wheeling chat with The Hindu, I. Periyasamy, Minister of Rural Development and DMK senior leader, fills in on the various initiatives taken and implemented by the DMK government. As he gears up to face another election this summer, he is confident of victory and talks of the various promises he has completed in his role as a Minister and also for the people of his constituency.

This election, everyone says, is going to be tough for the DMK. What are your thoughts on this?

No, it won’t be difficult. Our Chief Minister has fulfilled all the promises that have been made and we have also strengthened all that has been implemented so far. All schemes like Naan Mudhalvan, Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam, etc., have had a transformative impact in society. As for schemes under my department, we have laid rural roads for more than 21,000 km under Mudalvarin Grama Saalaigal Membattu Thittam. Feeder roads connecting NHs to rural roads have also been laid. Similarly, mini buses have been launched and in the State there is road access and transportation facility to even remote villages. Community halls have been built in numerous places and villagers need not travel long distances to hold functions.

Apart from various steps taken under the clean village campaign, what other initiatives have you started? 

Waste management is being followed in all village panchayats. Recently, while laying tar roads we started utilising waste plastic that is generated in villages. But, there is one promise that remains unfulfilled and that is Sewage Treatment Plant for weavers of Chinnalapatti. We have formed a weavers’ association and acquired land for the plant with the government allocating ₹17 crore for it. But due to hurdles raised by the local people it has been delayed. We are going in for a dry STP where sludge is dried. This can later be used in cement factories and there will be no groundwater pollution. Hence, this time I will be going all out to set up the plant for the weavers.

What are the problems you foresee with adoption of VB-G RAM G Bill in the place of MGNREGA?

Yes, we are against the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name. But there are various other causes that we fear would arise. Like the MGNREGA, the new bill also talks of 60:40 (Centre-State) share. But in recent years, the Centre has failed to fulfil its commitments. We are struggling to pay the workers. The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana also involves a cost-sharing model of 60:40. But in Tamil Nadu, it is now 40:60, so seeing the track record of the Centre, we are wary of the new scheme. After coming to power, we have formed more than 20,000 clusters of workers under the MGNREGA, thus providing work near their homes. These workers are registered and about 39 crore people have been benefited. But in VB-G RAM G Bill, the onus shifts to the Centre regarding allocation of manpower, etc. this would surely hit the rural economy.

Coming to the Assembly elections, do you think the youth vote may split due to the presence of the new entrant Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam headed by actor Vijay?

I don’t see the voters as old or young. We both (the DMK and the AIADMK) have our loyal vote banks. So the family, comprising the old and the young, will vote for the parties they are affiliated to. Chances are hardcore fans of Mr. Vijay may vote for him. When MGR launched his party, he already had political experience. But, the TVK has not fought even a byelection, so we are unable to ascertain their strength and even Mr. Vijay cannot gauge the number of votes he will get. He says he will get votes of those who oppose both the DMK and the AIADMK. In that scenario, suppose, the DMK gets 40% votes and the AIADMK 30%. The NTK and other parties are there who also have a loyal voter base, then with what is left, how can Mr. Vijay say that he will win?

How do you see role of the BJP, which is part of the AIADMK-inclusive NDA, in the upcoming election?

The election fight is only between the DMK and the AIADMK. After the elections, I see a change in BJP’s policies. They will see that playing the communal card will not succeed in Tamil Nadu. For ages in our villages, Hindus and Muslims have lived together. Raking up religious issues will not fetch them much votes here.