• My guest today is one of the greatest characters in our politics today, one of our greatest writers — M. Karunanidhi, chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Let me also introduce his daughter Kanimozhi, a Member of Parliament, who will be our interpreter today to cross the north-south divide. Jawaharlal Nehru’s family has only one child in politics, but you have more than one family member in politics.

It’s not a question of numbers. It’s more important that those who join the movement to which their father or grandfather belongs should follow the principles. It so happens that there are a few such people in my family.

• Do you think the nuclear crisis could have been averted? It should not have come to this if the Congress and the Left had talked to each other a bit earlier.

It is not possible to talk about that now, after the problem has risen. The prime minister has already negotiated with the U.S. and a stage has been reached. It was only thereafter that the problem arose.

• But what is your view on the nuclear deal? The Congress has said it will keep talking to the Left. As an ally, where does your party stand on the nuclear deal?

If I have to answer the question in one sentence: this is not the time to talk about it.

• The communists opposed the deal. They said it is wrong for India. The Congress says the deal is good for India. Other allies generally support the deal. What is the DMK’s view on the deal and the merits of the deal?

... contd.