This Article is From Apr 08, 2011

I am not corrupt: Jayalalithaa to NDTV

Chennai: In the midst of her hectic campaign across Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa, who hopes to become the next Chief Minister of the state, talks to NDTV's Barkha Dutt about why she believes her rival M Karunandihi and his party, the DMK, will be ejected from power.


NDTV: We are about to talk to one of the high-voltage politicians of Tamil Nadu, the chief challenger to the DMK- Cong alliance: J  Jayalalitha. That was a high-voltage rally, as you are a few days away from the voting and then the results, how confident are you going in?

Jayalalithaa: I am very sure that our alliance will sweep the polls, even though the various election polls have said that we will win anywhere between 164 - 184 seats, my own assessment is that our alliance will win not less than 218 seats.

NDTV: What do you think are the main factors in this election? When we were listening to the speeches, we were listening to a lot of references to Karunanidhi performance, 2G scam, we heard a lot of reference to corruption. What do you think is the main issue in this election?

Jayalalithaa: The main issue in this election is the all-pervasive corruption indulged in by M. Karunanidhi, his family members, his party members, his ministers, the entire DMK, the domination of one family -  Mr Karunanidhi's family  - on all matters of the state.  Total breakdown of law and order, and unprecedented power cut which has caused crisis in industries, agriculture and all over the state.  And total non-performance and misrule.

NDTV: There are those who say in India, the arithmetic of allies rather than politics determines the result. Are you concerned about this arithmetic of allies?

Jayalalithaa: I am not concerned at all. All these theories will be gone with the wind when the results are out. There is a tidal wave of support in our favour, and a great cyclonic storm directed against Mr. Karunanidhi and his family.

NDTV: There are comments on 'mixi-grinder' elections in Tamil Nadu -  I have even heard you use it. Is it a way of connecting with common people? But isn't it still populism?

Jayalalithaa: This is not populism, and I will not like this trivialization of our election manifesto. I think you have only focused on free mixi-grinders and you have not cared to read the entire manifesto. It will take a long time to explain, but other than these, there are many growth-oriented schemes announced in our manifesto. We plan to increase growth rate, productivity, cotton production, rice production, power generation by 5000 MW.  It will take too long to enumerate and explain these schemes in detail.

NDTV: You mentioned that the crucial factor will be the Karunanidhi regime's indulgence in corruption, but some people say that like in North India, the elections are fought on issues of roti, kapada aur makaan - basic amenities. Do you think these will supersede the 2G issue or 2G issue will be the definitive factor in the elections?

Jayalalithaa: Not just the 2G issue, but all-pervasive corruption by Karunanidhi family. Although the 2G scam is unprecedented in India and the world, but there is also corruption in sand mining, illegal quarrying. I had banned the sale of lottery tickets in my regime, now these tickets are being sold in black market, so many other ways like illicit liquor, so many ways in which they are making money through illegal means.

NDTV: The DMK-Congress alliance is reeling in controversy - we saw Sonia and Karunanidhi share the stage in Chennai, but we are seeing the centre take steps against DMK leader. Do you think that this is an alliance that can sustain itself politically?

Jayalalithaa: I think we need to see what happens after the elections, I will restrain my comments till then.

NDTV: May I ask you how disappointed are you on the fallout with Vaiko?

Jayalalithaa: There was no falling-out with Vaiko. I had tried my best in persuading Vaiko in joining our alliance; I had even offered him upto 12 seats. His expectations were unrealistic, I could not fulfill those expectations, my affection and respect for him will always remain. I also want to comment on something which though you haven't asked but earlier your correspondent had asked. There is a tendency in North India, especially television channels like you and other English newspapers, to dub us all as corrupt. "Karunanidhi is corrupt, Jayalalithaa is corrupt." Now I would like to ask you what corruption is it that I am supposed to have indulged in? Have I indulged in anything like the spectrum scam, the granite-quarrying scam through which Karunanidhi family has earned 80,000 crore rupees or the  quarrying scam through which Karunanidhi earned 50000 crore rupees, or the spectrum scam where 1,76,000 crore rupees have been swindled? I don't think you can point out one such instance in my entire political career. Infact this tag of corruption was given to me by Karunanidhi, who is my political arch rival. I have been acquitted by courts. So I would like your channels to explain what is this so-called corruption charges against me? So I object to this. I am not corrupt, my party is not corrupt.

NDTV: So you are saying that cases were unleashed against you by political opponents?

Jayalalithaa: The cases were hoisted against me because of sheer political vendetta. The judges in various cases have acquitted me in 12 cases. What does this prove? That these cases were false.

NDTV: One last question. You must be seeing Anna Hazare on his fast-unto-death demanding a public Lokpal Bill. There is a perception, specially in North India, stating that all politicians are corrupt. What is your comment on this?

Jayalalithaa: I fully support what Mr. Anna Hazare is doing, and I fully agree with him that such a Lokpal bill is necessary. But beyond that, it is not sufficient to make a Lokpal bill. You need a strong government, a strong PM, who is willing, capable and determined to enforcing the law. Now here we have a Prime Minister who is silent, unable to act, weak, ineffectual and it is detrimental to the interest of the entire nation. I have pointed this out, there is not only a danger to the economy of the country but also the sovereignty and security of the country. So the prime need of the hour is a strong government at the centre, and a strong PM.

NDTV: Any message for Karunanidhi who believes that he will be the Chief Minister again?

Jayalalithaa: Hard luck. And at least now, after the result, he will realize the folly of his actions and his folly in allowing his sons and daughters in running wild and running free, his mistake in willfully closing his eyes to the reality on the ground and disregarding the people. I am sure he will have plenty of time to ruminate over these things after elections.
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