Interview/ M.K. Stalin, working president, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Do you think Indians are losing confidence in the judiciary?
Given the nature of some judgments, I am afraid that people are losing confidence in the judiciary. In the 11 MLAs case [The DMK had pleaded for the disqualification of 11 AIADMK MLAs, who defied their party’s whip], the delay in getting a verdict has raised many doubts. In the Jayalalithaa portrait case, we moved court saying that the portrait of a person convicted by the Supreme Court cannot be displayed in the assembly. But, the court dismissed our petition. The court has failed to notice that the action of the speaker cannot be against the provisions of the Constitution, under which the rules of the assembly have been framed. Now, the government has a free hand to spend money for setting up a memorial on a corrupt leader, which will be against the anti-corruption measures of the judiciary itself.
How would you rate the performance of the state government under Edappadi K. Palaniswami?
The state government under EPS is a puppet of the BJP. It is a nonperforming, corrupt government; a benami government. This government has mortgaged the state’s rights. It is a slave government protected by the Centre.
Do you think the recent protests spearheaded by the DMK, for Cauvery and other issues, have taken the party forward?
Protests are not for strengthening the party, it is for the people. Irrespective of us being in power or not, the DMK has always stood by the people of the state. Be it in the NEET issue, Naduvasal Hydrocarbon project issue, Kathiramangalam [oil leak] or Cauvery [water sharing], we are always on the ground to tell Central and state governments about the problems of the people, and we function as a constructive opposition party.
Your thoughts about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government?
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A golden girl
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