'BJP Seems To Have Unilaterally Declared Alliance, Don't Know If EPS Even Had A Role'

IN what has been an eventful week in setting the stage for the 2026 Assembly elections, TNIE's K Ezhilarasan talks to Thoothukudi MP and DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on the changing political dynamics, DMK's prospects and its political wins so far.

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Excerpts:

There was a landmark verdict from the Supreme Court regarding the governor. Why do you think the post goes against the federal structure? The court clearly said the actions of Governor RN Ravi were in contradiction to the constitution. The governor's is just a nominated post. S/he cannot go against elected representatives of the people. We have seen that the governor, rather than abstaining from political activities, has been igniting political issues and hurting the sentiments of Tamils. When there is someone acting on the union government's will, like its political arm, and behaving like they are above the elected government, it becomes a contradiction. We have always asked, "Aattukku thadi yethukku, nattukku aalunar yethukku" (Why does a goat need a beard? Why does a state need a governor?) Now the SC has also asked (the same).

With regards to the Waqf Act, what are the provisions causing concern for the DMK? BJP leaders argue the Act will streamline the functioning of the boards and empower Muslim women to be part of them.

They are saying Muslim women were not allowed on the board. In Tamil Nadu, we have had a woman as the chairperson (Bader Sayeed was chairperson of the TN Wakf Board in 2002). Even today, we have two women members on the board. So, it's a complete misconception, which they are trying to spread.

We have the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department in TN and other states. I want to know if the Sangh Parivar or the BJP will accept if a Muslim or a Buddhist or a Christian or a Sikh is a member of the (temple) board? They don't even want them in teaching positions in colleges or schools run by the HR&CE department or on any temple boards. So then why do you want to bring in people from other communities into the (Waqf) board? The entire Act, we think, is absolutely unnecessary and has only been brought in to divide society.