CHENNAI Projecting herself on to the national stage has for long been high on the agenda of AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa. The clarion call to her partymen to dream big and start work for the 2014 general polls was no surprise then. “The AIADMK flag will fly high in Red Fort (read-to become part of the Central government). The AIADMK cadres should work for achieving this goal right from now,” Jayalalithaa told her party’s highest policy making body—the general council—on December 30, 2011.
Significantly, the AIADMK chief has given this direction to her party cadre at a time when the state is embroiled in disputes with its neighbour, and amid reports that the Centre has been acting in favour of the other state. Jayalalithaa did not mince words.
At the meet Jayalalithaa said, “If we could make it to the Lok Sabha, at that time we will be the determining force, and we need not be begging for our rights, including water issues (apparently hinting at Cauvery and Mullaiperiyar issues).” Jayalalithaa, however, added a note of caution. “Even when we are at the helm of affairs, we can create an atmosphere conducive to ensure Tamil Nadu’s rights, without compromising the nation’s sovereignty,” she said.
“The time is fast approaching for the AIADMK to make great strides in national politics. The two leaves will blossom and flourish in places beyond Tamil Nadu,” Jayalalithaa said.
Recalling the support extended to the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre in 1998, Jayalalithaa said “true to the meaning of the first two words of the party—‘Anaithinthia’ (meaning-all India), the party had played a big role in making BJP as the ruling party at the Centre for the first time in 1998 and A B Vajpayee became its Prime Minister. We have proved ourselves as a national party then itself.” Jayalalithaa added: “Now, it is right time for strengthening ourselves further to become the force to determine who will be the next prime minister of the country. We will be part of the Central government to be formed next and it is most certain that we (AIADMK) will also be part of the government.”
The AIADMK chief said the party cadre should not remain complacent thinking that there is no urgency for the Lok Sabha elections. “We still have the responsibility of realizing many more golden eras in politics. If we complete them perfectly, then we will be the deciding force. At that time, without causing any harm to the sovereignty of the country, we can facilitate an atmosphere wherein decisions to ensure the rights of Tamil Nadu can be taken without any loss to the State.