In the July edition of Media Voice, Congress leader K. V. Thangkabalu, with 40 years in politics, answers a wide range of questions, beginning with the prospects of his party and its policies and reiterating some eternal truths of party politics in India. 'I do not mind being in the Opposition sometimes' he says.

The three parties to watch, he says are the DMK, AIADMK and Indian National Congress in Tamil Nadu. Let smaller parties prove themselves. Rs 4,600 cr is earmarked for development in 100 minority districts in the country, he adds, saying Congress remains focused on the national goal of development.

By Papri Sri Raman

Question: You have been watching elections in the State since the 1970s. Do you see any change in the way elections take place now?

K.V.T: Elections in India plays an important role in today's socio-economic climate and money too plays a major role. We should admit that people coming to politics also have ambitions and want to realise this ambition overnight. The trend is changing and there are revisions overnight of the political agenda. The agenda of service seems to be decreasing and emphasis is more on the individual. Opportunism is more in common.

The remedy is, instead of making use of political opportunism, parties must come forward on specific programmes and policies – that should be the parameter. If that works, it will bring change. it is the the duty of every party to ensure this. Political ambition must co-exist with programme of development-oriented politics for the weaker sections, the Schedule Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Backward and Minorities. This will also tell the people why a party is contesting elections and what it is going to do.

There should be free and fair political dialogue for developments in all spheres with respect to caste, colour and money, That should happen not only in Tamil Nadu and not only in India but the world over.

INC stands for values and Madam Sonia Gandhi's and Dr. Manmohan Singh's leadership has taken these forward. We want value-based and policy-based politics. Socio-economic change is agenda of the INC, which is the reason we have done well in many states and over the years, in 1984-89 and to this day. Earlier we had 153 seats in parliament. Today we are able to draw more voters and we have 206 seats, this is an example of what people want and what the Congress wants – free and fair elections, without money, development oriented, policy oriented, leadership oriented. This is the kind of change that also Rahul Gandhi wants and young leaders want.

Q: There is a demographic shift in India with the young more in number.Do you see a mindset change in political parties as a result, are you addressing this, do you reflect the change?

KVT: In India, 72 per cent of people are below 40 years of age. The country has the largest chunk of young minds, this is an asset to India. Rahul Gandhi epitomises the energy and channels them.Though he had an offer he could lead the country but has declined to become either cabinet or Prime Minister, He entered the party instead and chose to work for the party.

Rahul Gandhi works for the people, channelising youth toward better values. He brings focus to their energy, makes young people understand socio-economic needs of the country, tells them what role they can play in politics and what role to take up. He leads the change in the country.

Q: India is talking of 33 per cent reservation for women in elected platforms, do you think this is achievable?

KTV: Congress is committed to that task. Sonia Gandhi succeeded in passing the bill in the Rajya Sabha and the next task is in the Lok Sabha. It is the halfway mark we saw, the next halfway mark is the Lok Sabha and I am confident we will be able to pass it in the Lok Sabha also. Our commitment is very much known to India.

Mr. Rajiv Gandhi wanted this to happen. Sonia Gandhi understood what people wanted when she toured the length and breadth of the country along with Rajiv Gandhi. He understood the mood of the country. It was his dream and his venture to get reservation for women, give them more opportunities in all spectrum of political life, in the Panchayats, in the Legislative Assemblies and in the Parliament.

The 73rd and 74th amendment brought about a sea change in the country's politics. The Congress has brought 11 lakh (1.1 million) women into the Panchayati Raj. That shows our commitment. The UPA II wants to give 50% reservation to women in Panchayati Raj, this is another milestone for us.

The INC is committed to equality between men and women in all spectrum of life. The balance is important for social life, so the same balance is required in the country's politics.

It is an innovative and important inclusion. It is being implemented within the party wherever it is possible and whenever opportunity arises within the party. Sonia Gandhi has directed all district Congress and state Congress leaders to give women reservation within the party structure, be it for panchayat or assembly elections, be it for parliament. Hopefully, we will arrive at this goal soon.

Q: In India politics is becoming bipartisan while Tamil Nadu is moving towards the multiparty system. What is your view on shifting alliance politics?

KVT: Congress looks for proactive and policy oriented allies. In Tamil Nadu, our alliance stands for development and welfare of weaker sections and that alliance is performing today. Congress and the DMK is popular in Delhi and though we are not sharing power, we are in alliance with the DMK in Tamil Nadu and our partnership is supported by the CPM, CPI, PMK and others. For the last four years, except for the Congress, no other party has stood by the DMK so long.

Under Mrs Gandhi's leadership, the Congress is an honest and sincere ally, committed towards development of the State. Wherever Sonia Gandhiji has worked out alliances, we have stood with the allies. In Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal we are committed to our allies, we are working towards progress and we are ready to come back to power. Political adjustments and alliances take precedence at the time of elections and political necessity. We have to see that only at that time. What Congress can offer is programme- oriented development-orinted policies and that is what people want.

Congress has been in power for 60 years, we will be there for another 60 years. I don't mind being in opposition sometimes, we always stand by our values. We never sacrifice values.Congress' agenda is democracy, secularism and welfare of people. This is the privilege of being a big national party.

Alliances will come and go – it is allowed in a democratic setup, but alliances are the individual interest of the parties.

Smaller parties are unavoidable in a democracy. People want to join politics but again, people are the best judges as they can judge by a party's performance. Most people who join political parties come with the ambition of being something/someone in society, the Constitution gives them the permission to do so. They perform to get votes- to get the mandate of the people. We cannot stand in the way of the individual's wish to join politics. If they succeed, well and good.

Small parties too come and go. INC, DMK and AIDMK are in reality the strong ones.At the State level, there are just two parties, at the national level there is the Congress. no one else is in the quality mode, they are in convenience mode. Let's see how other parties perform and prove themselves.Ultimately people will judge.

Q: What are your thoughts on factionalism, including in the Congress, the DMK and the AIADMK?

KVT: This phenomena, I don't think that just Congress sufferers factionalism. When an individuals personal ego comes into being and takes over, factionalism happens. For the Congress Sonia Gandhi is the leader. Both the DMK and the AIADMK are either party oriented or leader oriented, whosoever the leader, that is how all political parties have to be -- either party oriented or leader oriented. People's egos come in the way. They are opportunistic people who keep their own interest in the forefront and the party's policy and ideology fall flat. Only when every worker and leader thinks party programme and party ideology is paramount, then factionalism won't occur.

One has to first prove oneself.Be self-supportive, earn and do justice to your family. Then venture into politics. Join a party which shares your vision and work with the party to achieve its goals. Accept any opportunity that the party provides to enhance the lives of people, work towards the people's well-being.

Leadership is very important, along with party ideals. The Gandhi family leadership has been in the forefront. Without leadership, no party can thrive, it has to follow the leader – there has to be discipline and that is the necessity for every party. The INC, under Madam Gandhi's leadership, has thrived.

My political leadership is based on the agenda of development and the national goal is at the forefront. We in the INC want unified, strong and secular India and a government which works for the upliftment of weaker sections. Party can bring changes. That was in my mind for the last two years. Every political party envisions coming to power. At the same time...we have to keep the national agenda in the forefront. For a strong, secular India, we do have understandings in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal. Whatever the electoral understanding, the CWC has to decide what kind of alliance the party should enter into in the State.

Q: What will be your strategy for the 2011 polls?

KVT: Alliances of the Congress are decided at the national level.Undeniably, the Congress has 20% of the vote bank in Tamil Nadu.This vote bank is increasing, I and my colleagues, MLAs, ministers, we feel the vote bank of the Congress is increasing and for this reason, we have the Cong governments in the states and in the Centre.

Q: How is your alliance with the DMK doing ? What about the PMK?

KVT: There is no contradiction. There is no conflict between Centre and State in popularising our programme, no quarrel between the Congress and the DMK. We contested 47 seats last time and got 35 seats, it's a matter between allies.Election is still a year away. Today I cannot say anything. At the time of elections, all issues will come up and what should be our role and what should be done. In Tamil Nadu, ours is a performing alliance, it is doing well. In forthcoming elections also I think this combination has better chance to win than any other alliance.

We are not interested in the internal politics of any political party, be it the PMK DMK, CPI, CPM or anyone else. True democratic parties stands for their values.

Q: What is your view on Maoism?

KVT:.Maoism is a menace – not good for civil society. I disagree with their interest as they foster anti-democratic values. India is a developing country. It is a very important democracy in the world and elements, both internal and external, are trying to create a social imbalance and confusion. They all have their own vested interests. The Maoists don't allow even internal development of regions where they are active – they should be curbed with an iron hand.They want to take power illegally.

Q: Do you support caste census at a time India strives towards a more equal and just society?

KVT: I was the Minister of state for Welfare in the 1991-96 union government. I have always been an advocate for caste census. It was the congress government which steered the move for 27% reservation for backward castes, even V.P Singh accepted r 27% reservation for backward castes in higher education. I even wanted and recommended that there should have different ministry for the minorities, different for women, and different for the tribes. Government of India will be greatly helped by the survey report which includes caste enumeration, as it will know where it needs to do more , focus more. As much as Rs 4,600 crore has been earmarked and 100 minority districts have been identified. Every section should get reservation, even upper castes, one needs to have education and employment for every one.