Khushbu Sundar: 'Narendra Modi has no appeal in Tamil Nadu. Every time he visits, 'Go Back Modi' trends'! Congress-DMK will win 35 of 39 seats'
Q. Money has been a big factor in elections in Tamil Nadu — Vellore's election has been cancelled after cash seized. What's your view on it?
It’s very unfortunate that the Vellore election has been cancelled. Money has been found, ‘yes' — but it has not been proved to whom it belongs to. In the past, we have seen Assembly elections getting cancelled because of money transactions. This is something which is going to be a deciding factor. They have to announce when the Vellore elections are going to happen now.
I wish the Election Commissioner was working stronger and harder — rather than only raiding DMK officials, he would also look into the houses of AIADMK and BJP ministers.
The decision to cancel the Vellore election was taken in haste.
Q. What are some of the key issues in the state during this election?
When the DMK was in power, we have seen that Tamil Nadu was the number one state — it was a green corridor, people were flourishing, there were a number of multinational companies invested in the state, there were jobs.
In the last 10 years, we have seen thow it has taken a completely steep fall and today, Tamil Nadu government has almost Rs 4 lakh crore loan. What it does not make sense is because why is there so much of loan when they have not implemented any schemes, no jobs given, huge farmer distress, they don’t give money when there are floods and cyclones? They blame the central government that they did not help — then where is the money going? Why is there so much of loan on Tamil Nadu government?
Q. In all this, what about the Rajinikanth factor? What if he allies with BJP soon?
I don’t think we should be discussing him — because he has not taken a plunge. So, no point of speaking about him, he is not a political person. He has not said that he is starting any political party, nothing has been done.
Q. And how much impact will Kamal Hassan have on politics in the state?
For Kamal Hassan, we’ll have to wait and watch. I believe the political field is vast and anyone can come in, they have to prove their mettle. I’m a little disappointed because he is not contesting. We will have to wait and see how much people are going to take him seriously.
Q. Can you describe Narendra Modi’s appeal in Tamil Naidu?
Every time he decides to come to Tamil Nadu, ‘Go back Modi’ is trending in the state.
Nothing else can describe him — he has no appeal in the state.
Q. How much impact has Balakot had on voters in Tamil Nadu?
You cannot bring in Balakot as a political tool to win votes. The minute a government does that, it shows their insecurity — it shows how desperate they are. You cannot win votes by putting aside the sacrifices of our brave soldiers, and saying that these strikes happened because of me.
It’s very unfortunate that you have a Prime Minister who tries to ride high on the shoulders of our brave hearts.
Q. Meanwhile, why is Indian politics, from north to south, so misogynistic? Why are Indian men so threatened by strong women?
Women are not afraid to join politics. The entire parameters of women from north to south are completely different. We are still orthodox; we cannot be full-time politicians unless we have the support of our family. The patriarchal attitude is more in the north than south. In the south, men are more forthcoming.
Yes, men feel completely intimidated in the presence of a strong woman — that’s when their insecurity starts to show up.
Q. Is there a part of you that still identifies with being Punjabi and North Indian?
Nope. Except for my passport, I’m a true-bloodied Madrasi. My passport says that I was born in Mumbai, but I’m a true Chennaite now.
Q. And you believe Congress-DMK will have a cakewalk in Tamil Nadu?
Absolutely — we have 39 seats and I’m telling you that we will win 34-35 seats.
Q. Why has the Congress not been able to garner the same support like AIADMK or DMKK, has it moved away from local voters?
We have not moved away, I feel we have not worked enough. We have been in alliance with DMK most of the time. Here, it is about the two Dravidian parties who have been in the state. Congress has focused more on the national part rather than the state. There is nothing to complain though. Every time we have joined hands with DMK, we have won. This election is going to prove that this is a very lucky coalition we have.
I will definitely give a thumbs-up to Mr Stalin too, who has come out of the shadows of his father, taken over the party, won the confidence of the people of Tamil Nadu. The kind of connectivity he has over the people of the state, you have to hand it to him that he has been a wonderful leader to lead the state.
Q. But the BJP is trying hard to make an entry into Tamil Nadu politics, how do you see this?
I don’t see that happening. Their own state leaders are talking about Hindu, Hindutva and Hinduism, you have Narendra Modi who forgets to come up with the Tamil anthem, that’s how we generally start a meeting. The communal aspect is not going to work in the state. People of Tamil Nadu are looking as to who can give them welfare, growth and take them out of the problems of the state.
Q. Why aren’t you contesting elections?
I didn’t ask for a ticket. It’s for the party to decide which candidate would be appropriate to win the seat. I think if the party didn’t see me somewhere, I’m sure they have something else in the pipeline for me. I’m perfectly fine, I’m here for the party.
Q. You recently slapped a worker in a rally, how safe are political rallies for women?
The person who groped me was not a Congress worker — it was some random worker. It does not make a difference whether it was a Congress worker or someone from the general public though. This is my fourth election and it’s my first time that I have turned around and slapped someone. You will find such people in the crowd — and I would really appreciate it if other women would turn around and react in the same manner. This would send a message that you cannot mess around and one needs to maintain a safe distance.