MK Stalin needs elections in Tamil Nadu to be about governance, not spectacle. As chief minister and DMK president, he claims that in his first time period he gave the nation a mannequin that mixes welfare and financial development, a mannequin he calls the “Dravidian mannequin”.
Stalin, 73, is aiming to win a second time period and is spearheading the DMK-led alliance within the April 23 state meeting elections. In an interview with indian categoricalStalin talks about numerous points associated to opinion polls, the federal government and its efficiency, and political opponents. excerpt:
* Wanting again over the previous 5 years, what’s it concerning the DMK regime that’s unmistakably ‘Stalin’ and never only a continuation of Dravidian traditions?
All of the governments which have existed thus far have been referred to as by the names of their leaders, equivalent to Kamarath rule, Anna rule, Kalaignar rule, MGR rule, Jayalalithaa rule. Or recognized as Congress Guidelines, DMK Guidelines, AIADMK Guidelines. For the primary time in state historical past, a authorities identifies itself based mostly on its insurance policies. I declared it a ‘Dravidian mannequin’ authorities. This isn’t a authorities of political events or Stalin’s private authorities, however a authorities of nice Dravidian insurance policies.
* How would you outline this ‘Dravidian mannequin’ for somebody exterior of Tamil Nadu?
The Dravidian mannequin says, “All the pieces is for everybody.” I described this as development for each sector, each district, each folks, each group.
We’ll talk about solely the economic sector. All industries should develop, not simply sure industries. Not solely large-scale industries, but in addition small and medium-sized industries should develop. They should occur in each city, not simply the large cities. We additionally take a look at how many individuals these corporations make use of, how many individuals within the area they make use of, and particularly what number of jobs they make use of ladies. That is total development. It is “All the pieces is for everybody.”
* A lot of your organization’s flagship plans are constructed round dignity in on a regular basis life…
Authorities should not stay confined to Fort St. George, the Secretariat, and Parliament. It ought to be helpful for any household. We imagine it ought to attain everybody. I maintain saying that there isn’t a one who doesn’t profit from our system.
* Factories in Tamil Nadu, particularly textiles, electronics and different meeting line industries, rely closely on ladies staff. Why do you suppose that is so?
Tamil Nadu is a state that has achieved consciousness. It was the Justice Occasion authorities that granted ladies the precise to vote in 1921. Colleges and universities have been somewhat created for them. Due to this fact, they obtained a greater schooling. they held excessive positions. At the moment, the social participation price of girls is rising. Tamil Nadu has the very best variety of feminine staff in India. Schemes equivalent to free bus journey for girls, Pudumai Pen scheme, Toj hostels and self-help teams have made ladies necessary figures in schooling, data and entrepreneurial endeavors. All of this permits it to carry out properly in all areas.
* AIADMK or BJP, Edappadi Okay Palaniswami or Narendra Modi – none of them are strangers to you. However what do you concentrate on the brand new phenomenon of Vijay and his TVK?
The entry of latest folks into the political world has occurred many occasions. The state of Tamil Nadu can also be conscious of their disappearance.
* The place do you suppose the state has progressed within the final 5 years?
Within the final fiscal yr, Tamil Nadu recorded an financial development of 11.19% as in opposition to India’s 6.5% in 2024-25. That is the success of Tamil Nadu. It’s the Coalition Authorities who’re saying this, not us. In NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Improvement Objectives Index, Tamil Nadu ranks second with 78.8 factors. It ranks first amongst giant states on the federal authorities’s Social Progress Index with 63.33 factors. The enrollment price in larger schooling rose to 47% in comparison with 28.4% in India. The variety of folks beneath the poverty line is 1.43%, in comparison with 11.2% in India. Tamil Nadu has risen to first place within the 2018 Startup Rating from final place in 2018 and topped the Export Readiness Index with 80.89 factors. Irrigated space and meals manufacturing elevated. Overseas direct funding rose to $3.681 billion from $2.169 billion two years in the past. Tamil Nadu has turn out to be the main exporter of electronics, textiles and leather-based merchandise, and the second largest exporter of engineering equipment, doubling its exports of products.
* What do you suppose the youth of Tamil Nadu need from politics now that your era did not?
In our era, curiosity within the Tamil language, Tamil rights, and the ideas of self-respect attracted younger folks. As the following step, as we speak’s younger folks count on schooling, employment and infrastructure improvement.
What we have been speaking about again then was social reform. What younger folks as we speak count on is social improvement.
* Within the age of reels, clipped speeches and algorithmic politics, can Dravidian politics survive not simply as a model however as an thought?
This ought to be seen as a change in media format. They state even the deepest ideas merely and concisely. This shouldn’t be discounted or seen as simply an leisure characteristic. Reel is one thing that provokes completely different views and ideas among the many public. On this state of affairs, we should additionally make the most of this media and unfold our opinions.
More and more, lengthy speeches are being cropped and disseminated with simply crucial factors. Generally lies are unfold on social media. That simply has to cease.
* Your authorities has reached out to ladies voters via numerous packages. Do you suppose that is an act of electoral gratitude or a deeper realignment of energy throughout the Tamil family?
Free bus journey for girls elevated ladies’s social participation. Greater than the truth that they’ll save between Rs 800 and Rs 1,200 each month, extra ladies are coming to work. This elevated the variety of ladies within the labor power. Ladies’s entitlements (below Magalil Ulimai Togai) are set not solely as financial support, but in addition to present ladies confidence. Actually, this was the upward development that occurred to households in Tamil Nadu.
* What’s one choice you made that price you politically however felt was morally proper?Are there any selections which will have helped you politically however nonetheless trouble you?
It was stated that the Transport Bureau could be in nice bother due to the free bus system for girls. Nevertheless, I strongly believed that this plan should be carried out. I signed it the day I turned Prime Minister.
Because of the monetary state of affairs, many plans couldn’t be carried out. On account of stress from the federal authorities, they’re unable to function freely. The Union authorities is refusing to offer funds to Tamil Nadu. I believe that is the one major stress.
* When historical past writes a paragraph about your first time period, what would you like it to say?
It’s sufficient for the long run society to say, “He introduced innumerable establishments.Throughout his time, Tamil Nadu grew in each area.I benefited from the breakfast scheme supplied by him.I obtained Rs 1,000 per 30 days below the Pudumai Pen scheme supplied by him.I grew as a result of I used to be skilled via the Naan Mudarvan scheme.”
