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The Rediff Political Interview/Vazhappadi Ramamurthy

'Tell me, who is not corrupt in this country? Is Karunanidhi above corruption?'

You and the BJP are partners in the new alliance that has taken place in Tamil Nadu. Now, do you call the BJP a communal party?

I have said earlier that our alliance is only with Jayalalitha and not with the BJP.

Did it bother you when Jayalalitha entered into an alliance with the BJP?

Why should I be bothered? The BJP was part and parcel of the National Front in 1989 also. What happened in 1989 is happening again in 1998.

Have you changed your opinion about the BJP?

There may be some radical elements in the BJP. But I don't think the BJP is communal anymore. They firmly believe that they are going to form the government. So, they are acting more responsibly. Even the DMK once asked for Dravidistan. But once they came to power, they mellowed down. Likewise, the BJP also cannot shut its eyes to the 160 million Muslims in this country.

Do you think the BJP is anti-Muslim even now?

It was only because of the Babri Masjid demolition that they are called anti-Muslim. Some even call them anti-minorities. But you just look at the states ruled by the BJP. Those states are more peaceful. Compared to the number of communal clashes that have taken place in Tamil Nadu, all those states are peaceful. Here in Tamil Nadu... 148 bomb blasts! Several communal clashes! A mosque was bombed! The BJP office was bombed! The RSS office was bombed!

Earlier the BJP was an untouchable. How did it become acceptable?

The BJP is no longer an untouchable party. Even ordinary people are saying, why not give the BJP a chance?

Do you foresee the BJP coming to power at the Centre? Or, is it going to be another coalition?

I don't think any party will get a majority. It will be a hung Parliament. But there is better chances of a BJP-led coalition.

How much difference can Sonia Gandhi make to the Congress's tally?

I don't want the Congress to go below its present strength.

Why?

Then Sonia Gandhi's image will be stained.

Will you feel bad about it?

Yes, of course. We have served the party for 40 years. I don't want the party to perish.

But you are not with the party now.

Yes. You may call it sympathy, an outsider's sympathy.

Where will the United Front be after the election?

Already it is a disunited front. The United Front is dead. In 1989, they called it National Front. In 1996, they called it United Front. And in 1998, they will simply call it Front.

You resigned from the Congress during Rao's time because he was continuing the alliance with Jayalalitha. From that stand, how did you become sympathetic to her?

Like all Tamils, I also felt she should not have been arrested and sent to jail.

But so many people including you said she was very corrupt when she was in power.

Tell me, who is not corrupt in this country? Is Karunanidhi above corruption? Is Maran above corruption? Is Moopanar above corruption? Is Chidambaram above corruption?

Cho Ramaswamy recently asked people to vote for the DMK-TMC as Jayalalitha has not been punished for her crimes.

Cho Ramaswamy is a confused person and he is trying to confuse the people as well. See, he wants the BJP at the Centre and he wants the DMK-TMC to be elected here. How is it possible, you tell me?!

Are you happy with the one seat you got from the AIADMK?

Yes. We have asked for so many things. Ultimately we got one. But no complaints.

The speculation is that the DMK government will be dismissed if the BJP comes to power at the Centre. Do you think so?

Whether the BJP comes to power or a Congress coalition comes or some other coalition comes, this DMK government is bound to be dismissed. Why? Because the Jain Commission has clearly said that the help given by the DMK to the LTTE culminated in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

Do you foresee Jayalalitha coming back to power?

Yes, maybe before 1999.

EARLIER INTERVIEW:
'The Congress is a party of sycophants... I am proud of it. That is the culture of our party'

The Rediff Election Interviews