P. Venkataramanan, who has been working with actor and TVK president C. Joseph Vijay for many years and now serves as the party’s treasurer, is facing his first electoral battle from the Mylapore constituency. In this interview with TNIE, he talks about why TVK is the change Tamil Nadu is looking for and responds to some criticisms.
Edited excerpts:
TVK is positioning itself as an alternative to the two Dravidian majors, which have dominated the state’s politics for over six decades. What is TVK offering that the DMK and AIADMK have not?
People are looking for change. They want honesty. For decades, a few families have been running this state. Voters are fed up. Today, youngsters are educated, women are far more aware, and technology has changed how people receive information. The old model of politics simply does not match the world we are living in. That is the gap TVK is trying to fill. Youth, women, and senior citizens are looking for a party that speaks to them in the world they actually live in.
TVK says Periyar E.V. Ramasamy is one of its ideological leaders. Vijay says the party would accept everything about Periyar except atheism. What about anti-Brahminism?
Brahminism refers to situations where some people dominate and discriminate against others. It is not just about the Brahmin community. In different regions, different groups exert dominance. However, those are matters of the past. It is an old ideology. It does not exist now, and today’s youth have changed a lot and are more aware. Hence, it is not necessary in today’s society.
You say TVK is here for change. However, the candidates’ list shows that the party gave importance to caste while selecting candidates, just like traditional parties. There is also less representation for women and minorities.
Tamil Nadu’s electoral map is no longer based on caste. If you look at my constituency, people say there are more Brahmins there. However, only about 40,000 of the 1.94 lakh voters are Brahmins. Others migrated and settled here several decades ago. This is the case across the state.
We chose candidates based on their work and popularity. When it comes to women and minorities, we have given tickets to those who expressed interest, and we do not discriminate based on religion.
What are the key issues you are hearing from people in your constituency?
Several issues come up repeatedly. The first is government schools. Parents say that drug abuse is creeping into schools and neighbourhoods. They are scared. They want safe schools and a good future for their children, not just promises.
The second is the safety of women, particularly in slum settlements. For fifty years, they have lived in those tenements, but the government is yet to give them pattas or build houses. They are too scared to even complain, fearing eviction.
TVK and its president Vijay have publicly criticised the government on several issues but were conspicuously silent on some, including the “honour killing” of Dalit youth Kavin Selvaganesh, the Centre’s budget, and the Thiruparankundram temple issue. Why so?
We care about people’s lives. Instead of merely issuing statements to condemn such incidents, we are working to improve and save lives. We are with the people. We don’t want to turn every issue into an opportunity to grab headlines. That is theatrics, not politics. But on issues that matter, we will speak—and we have spoken.
There is also criticism that you attack your “political enemy,” the DMK, more and remain silent on your “ideological enemy,” the BJP.
Since this is a state election, we are targeting our primary opponent in the state. When parliamentary elections come, we will definitely take on the national party.
There has been criticism from rival parties that Vijay has not been visible enough on the ground.
Our leader has repeatedly said he wants to visit every district and every constituency to meet people. The obstacle is not him, but the system. The police and local administration delay our applications for such events. Permissions are granted at the last moment. The day the system gives him a clear window, he will be on the ground.
In the meantime, Vijay is present in every household, and he is the candidate in every constituency. We are all campaigning on his behalf.
There have been criticisms about TVK’s crowd management. Even after the Karur tragedy, many allege that TVK’s supporters have not yet matured into an organised political group.
When you go to the seashore, waves arrive one after another. Similarly, people come from every direction to see our leader, and we are unable to control them. That is why we see unorganised crowds. Soon, they will be politicised and better regulated.
People who have voted for the same party for thirty years are now saying they are willing to consider a change. That is the beginning of a movement.