• It is widely believed that your brother Stalin will take over the party reins after your father?

My father is quite healthy. So why bring up that question now?

• But, wouldn’t Stalin be eventually taking over the party?

The DMK is a democratic party. And the question of who will lead it will be decided by the party. Of course, Stalin has been accepted by party cadres and leaders. He is doing very well and has proved himself in many ways.

• Do you think it is time the party and the family gave Mr Karunanidhi some rest so that he could devote more time to writing and reading.

Despite being the Chief Minister and the President of the DMK, he still finds time for everything. Why should we make decisions for him? If he enjoys doing all these things, why shouldn’t he continue doing them?

• How do you see Jayalalithaa as a politician?

I think she is a strong-willed woman.

• How do you feel about taking on Jayalalithaa as a politician? Wouldn’t it be a good strategy to pit one woman politician against another?

I hope I can play a small part in moving the Tamil people away from making ‘emotional’ decisions. I don’t want to encourage it in anyway. That would be the success of my politics. I will take on Jayalalithaa on issues, and not because I am a woman.

• What will be the programme structure of the new Kalaignar TV?

... contd.