DMK Chief M Karunanidhi says son Stalin won't be Tamil Nadu Chief Minister if they win the election.
DMK Chief M Karunanidhi has made it clear that should his party win the Tamil Nadu election, he will be the chief minister for the sixth time. In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Mr Karunanidhi, 93, said that his younger son "Stalin can become Chief Minister only if nature does something to me." He also spoke about prohibition plans, corruption allegations against his party leaders and took on his archrival, AIADMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa as well.
Following is the full transcript of the interview:
NDTV: Thank you for your time. You've finished two rounds of campaigning. What kind of mindset do you see people in?
M Karunanidhi: There's a new hope among people that if DMK rules, returns, the good things of the past will happen again.
NDTV: You are promising prohibition. If prohibition is implemented the government may lose around Rs 27000 crore revenue. Do you have any special plans to compensate this loss? Also, in the past you've said prohibition will open gates for illicit liquor. How would you tackle this?
M Karunanidhi: Compensating the revenue loss is not a big thing. We have several plans. With money from mineral mining we can run the administration.
NDTV: How would you deal with illicit liquor?
M Karunanidhi: We would tackle it with tough laws.
NDTV: For the first time Tamil Nadu has a strong Third Front. They say the DMK and AIADMK have not taken the state towards growth and development and are asking for a chance this time.
M Karunanidhi: People tried giving them a chance, but even before the alliance could take shape they, the DMDK broke into pieces. There's no use trusting them.
NDTV: The opposition calls the Congress-DMK alliance as a corrupt alliance.
M Karunanidhi: I'm not ready to accept allegations by corrupt people. Even people will not accept.
NDTV: Are you calling the AIADMK leader corrupt? Who do you refer to?
M Karunanidhi: Their corruption has been proved in court. Through appeal they attempted to save. Nothing has worked. Campaigns about them have become deep rooted among people.
NDTV: They've announced free mobile phones and 50 per cent subsidy on two wheelers for women.
M Karunanidhi: None of AIADMK's promises happen. For example Jayalalithaa announced a 100 crore statue for Tamil Mother. It came in all papers. We could see it nowhere. Jayalalithaa gives such false promises.
NDTV: Now you are 93 and there's an expectation among your cadre that you should make way for youngsters. If DMK wins elections is there a possibility that you would pave way for a youngster after fulfilling key promises? Anbumani Ramadoss says you should retire. There's an expectation among your cadre that MK Stalin should be made the chief minister.
M Karunanidhi: Stalin himself doesn't want to become chief minister. He wants only the DMK chief to become the chief minister. I've not lost even a single election since 1957. If I win I'd be the chief minister for the sixth time. Stalin is the first among all who wants me to become the chief minister for a record sixth time.
NDTV: What will you tell those who want Stalin to be made the chief minister?
M Karunanidhi: Stalin can become chief minister only if nature does something to me.
NDTV: If there's a hung assembly is the DMK open for a coalition government?
M Karunanidhi: That kind of a situation will not arise.
NDTV: What's your message for Chief Minister Jayalalithaa?
M Karunanidhi: Enough of the harm you brought. Get down from your throne to save the state. This is my last message for Jayalalithaa.