How does it feel to contest after receiving official recognition from the Election Commission (EC)?It is not me that EC has recognized, but the people. We are not worried about whether we win. What matters is that the people must succeed. The people of Tamil Nadu have suffered after repeatedly voting for DMK, AIADMK, Congress and BJP. Christians, Muslims and govt employees must change. It is painful to see them continue supporting those who have repeatedly inflicted injustice. People are gathering in large numbers at our rallies, and the support we are receiving continues to grow steadily. Why do you choose to go alone? With NTK getting 8% vote share, you would have had bargaining power in any alliance.We founded the party because we could not align ourselves with the existing systems of governance and ideologies. When my people (Sri Lankan Tamils) were being killed, everyone remained mute spectators. My language has been eroded, and our state has been stripped of its resources, leaving it burdened by poverty and unemployment as the administration has become corrupt. Congress and DMK have given birth to BJP and AIADMK. Why should voters choose NTK over established parties such as DMK and AIADMK?For 60 years, govts have changed, but the system of governance has not. Why should we keep giving these parties another chance? DMK and AIADMK have exploited natural resources. DMK and AIADMK describe freebies as welfare measures intended to support the poor. Why does NTK oppose freebies?You are only increasing the state’s debt. If the assistance had been reduced from `1,000 to `500, one could argue that people had progressed, but instead you raised it to `2,000. Rice was once sold at `2/kg and later given free. How does that reflect uplift? Freebies are a disgrace. Name one meaningful scheme implemented despite the state govt’s outstanding debt of `10.5 lakh crore. Freebies will lead to ruin. But NTK speaks about providing free healthcare, education and water. How is that approach different from what govts have already offered?They have failed to provide quality healthcare, education and drinking water. Former chief ministers sought treatment in private hospitals when they fell ill. Budget allocations for education and health increase every year, but the quality of these services has not improved. People deserve the same facilities available to the chief minister and Prime Minister. Water is not a commodity to be sold, and I will ban its sale. How do you position Tamil nationalism vis-à-vis Dravidian ideology?Dravidam is a ‘stolen’ ideology. Politics is embedded in every aspect of life here —language, literature, culture, traditional agriculture, women’s rights, job security and economic development. That is what Tamil nationalist politics represents. You have no right to oppose my politics unless you are willing to oppose a political party by name such as Telugu Desam. Why does NTK maintain distance from BJP and Congress?There is no difference in their policies such as GST, NRC and NEET. One pursues aggressive Hindutva, while the other follows a softer version. One demolishes mosques, while the other allows them to be demolished. They follow the same policies in education, defence and foreign affairs. You have been a critic of Tasmac and mining of resources. What alternatives and policy measures does NTK propose on these issues?Even the British did not exploit our natural resources. You do not have the right to destroy what you cannot create. We will shut down Tasmac and promote traditional drinks such as toddy. You said, “If you love an actor, do not vote for me; if you love the state, vote for me.” Given that you began your career in the film industry, how do you explain your criticism of actors entering politics?Films did not help me, or former chief ministers C N Annadurai and M Karunanidhi; they helped MGR. He met his fans, while the others did not. I did not launch my party through the film industry, but after returning from prison (Seeman was detained under NSA for inflammatory speeches against Sri Lanka). People come to hear my speeches. Politics must be guided by principles and dreams. Anyone entering politics should learn about literature, language, history, land resources, politics and the economy. Speaking only about power after the makeup comes off is unacceptable. Didn’t you try to team up with TVK’s Vijay?We had discussed forming an alliance and contesting the 2026 election. I have affection for my brother, but I never expected him to compromise so severely on principles. He speaks of Dravidian politics but seeks to destroy the party founded by Anna while invoking Anna. In the same way, he calls the party founded by MGR corrupt and says it should be eliminated. He describes BJP as fascist yet warmly accepts anyone who defects from that very party as a friend.Vijay wants to become chief minister. I, however, have my own dreams. There are major differences between us. When he wanted Congress to be part of our alliance, I asked how he could support a party that stood against the Tamil race. Those around him have led him in a different direction. He has lost the locus standi to speak about BJP since he has chosen to contest from Perambur and Trichy East, areas dominated by Christians and members of his caste. NTK has nominated six brahmins in the 2026 election, at a time when Dravidian parties are accused of deserting the community. What’s the reason?Dravidam was built on an anti-brahmin narrative. By exploiting that opposition, it destroyed my language, history and identity. Now, we must use that same tool to dismantle Dravidam.
