AIADMK only alternative to DMK, not Vijay’s TVK: SP Velumani

A confident return to power and a decisive mandate of over 200 seats — that is the claim being made as the election battle in Tamil Nadu intensifies. With multiple players in the fray and narratives ranging from governance to regional identity, the stakes are high. The Federal spoke to AIADMK leader SP Velumani on campaign momentum, alliances, and the party’s electoral prospects. Edited excerpts:

How has the reception been to your campaign?

The reception has been great in Thondamuthur (Coimbatore) constituency. Here, all people are like my family members. I always get a good reception here, and that is how it is going on now as well.

How is the reception across the state, especially with claims from both sides about winning?

AIADMK, which is the legacy of Anna (CN Annadurai), Jayalalithaa, and MGR, will return under EPS (Edappadi K Palaniswami) by winning 210 seats. There is no doubt about it.

There is a general opinion that Vijay’s TVK will split votes. Will this favour AIADMK?

Only after the elections will we know. This is the first time TVK is contesting, and people will not give opportunities to new parties. MGR’s time was different; he did a lot of good things for the people. After MGR, actors like Sivaji Ganesan and Chiranjeevi failed politically. AIADMK, with its strong alliance, history of welfare schemes and having ruled the state for 30 years, remains the better alternative, unlike DMK which has done nothing.

Do you think the crowd that gathers for Vijay will convert into votes?

Crowds do not translate into votes. People vote carefully. Similar crowds were seen for Vijayakanth and Chiranjeevi too. Vijay’s impact will be limited. He suddenly disappears, so people do not take him seriously. Crowds might gather for anyone.

DMK’s Senthil Balaji is contesting from Coimbatore. Is this a challenge for AIADMK?

Amman Arjunan, a two-time MLA, has done significant work and contributed to the Kovai model. His victory is certain. Media reports suggesting otherwise are not valid. We won all 10 seats earlier; this time we will win 11 (hinting at Avinashi, partly in Coimbatore and partly in Tiruppur district).

This election is being seen as a four-way contest, with Sasikala and Ramadoss also in the fray. Will this impact the outcome?

AIADMK has a strong alliance, unlike DMK’s. We delivered effective schemes, while DMK failed on governance and law and order. Tamil Nadu remains a two-way contest between AIADMK and DMK.

How do you respond to the framing of this election as Centre versus Tamil Nadu?

EPS has said this Assembly election will focus on what DMK has done for the state. DMK has not done anything, so people will vote for AIADMK, which has given many welfare schemes to the people.

Personal attacks during the campaign have increased. How do you see this?

I do not condone personal attacks. DMK first attacked EPS, and AIADMK retaliated. EPS also does not condone personal attacks.

What has been achieved in Coimbatore in the last five years? Do people remember your tenure?

DMK has done nothing in five years. Under Jayalalithaa and EPS, roads, bridges, flyovers, colleges, hospitals, new taluks, and the Athikadavu-Avinashi project were implemented. Land was allocated for airport expansion, but DMK failed to take this forward. Had they done so, many IT companies would have come and 50,000 people would have got jobs here. We gave growth that was not there for 50 years here. So people will vote for us.

There is an opinion that DMK has fielded candidates from other districts in Coimbatore. What do people think?

People will give a chance only to local candidates and for the schemes implemented by EPS. Amman Arjunan’s victory is certain.

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