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It’s not possible.

• The Congress has conveyed its concern to you about your Lord Ram statements, saying, ‘Look, in the south it’s okay . . .’

If you want to create a rift between us and the Congress, you will not succeed.•

Hasn’t the Congress told you that you have given the BJP something to talk about? No, I’m not saying anything about a rift. Parties can talk to each other.

No, I haven’t given the BJP any issue to raise. There’s no reason for me to do it. The BJP is talking on its own. The people of Tamil Nadu won’t accept what the BJP says. This the land of Periyar, of Anna.

• Yes, but at the same time, the Congress is worried that this will affect . . .

No, it’s not worried. Only you are worried (laughs).

• The Congress tells us it is worried. Do you see the situation getting defused in Supreme Court or do you see there’s room for political negotiation outside the Supreme Court on Sethusamudram?

It’s only for the Supreme Court to decide. There is nothing for us to say. We are waiting for the Supreme Court’s judgement.

• This is very interesting. You are placing so much faith in the Supreme Court. Just a few weeks back you had a brush with the Supreme Court (over the DMK protests and your fast on the Sethusamudram issue). A judge got very angry.

Once upon a time, there was an old lady who was very sick. There was a child who prayed to God every day. But she dies. Does it mean they will not pray any more? The Supreme Court is like that.

• You may not believe in God. But I like the way . . .

I believe in only one god.

• Which god do you believe in?

My conscience.

• It is fascinating that you nevertheless use that comparison (about God and praying and the Supreme Court). But what was your reaction to the Supreme Court’s strong remarks (about the DMK’s bandh call and yourprotest fast). Do you think you deserved those remarks or were they undeserved?

If I answer your question, it would mean what the court said about me is true.

• That’s very well said. You know, so many very senior politicians in the Congress and other parties told me that I would find that you have one of the sharpest minds in politics. I think they were so right.

(Laughs)

• There has been so much speculation, analysis, guesswork . . . tell me what happened in the case of Dayanidhi Maran?

I don’t want to speak about it.

• Tell me exactly what happened?

Nothing, nothing.

• He is your nephew. How painful was it for you?

I generally don’t discuss personal matters.

• But you think it is a forgotten chapter now?

I don’t consider anything a closed chapter.

• I see. Is there still hope for Dayanidhi Maran tomorrow if he did prayaschit or penance?

I am not ready to answer these questions now.

• What is the reason? You answer everything but avoid this.

It’s because there is scope for such unanswerable questions too.

• Why is Tamil Nadu politics so bitter? Why do people - you and Jayalalithaa, in this case, the two main parties - you are not even on talking terms. It is very bitter and very vicious. Why is it so? Was it so earlier?

In Tamil Nadu, things were all right till the time of MGR. He started a party against me, but we remained friends. Even though we were leaders of different parties, we were friends. However, after MGR, the party leadership began to hate us and abjured us. Kamaraj and I, Bhakthavatchalam (former Congress chief minister) and I were friends. R. Venkataraman and I are friends even today. So in Tamil Nadu, except for a party called the AIADMK, the others are all very friendly.

• And do you regret it?

Certainly. Not because that single person is unfriendly. But I regret that Tamil Nadu politics has come to this.

• Sir, you are the senior-most politician in India, not just in Tamil Nadu. Would you take the initiative someday to bring down this bitterness so that people can fight elections, fight in the Assembly, but have a decent relationship?

In 1967, there was a big (electoral) fight. We defeated Kamaraj. Bhakthavatchalam was defeated, R. Venkataraman was defeated. Anna became chief minister. All of us went to Kamaraj’s residence and took his blessings. We also went to Bhakthavatchalam’s house.

That was how we conducted ourselves. We showed no disdain towards the losers. But today people gloat over their victory. It is the AIADMK under Madam that has caused so much bitterness. She castigates me in her statements every day, calls me names. It would look very silly if I took up the initiative you suggest. But because you advise me, maybe I should go to her house and try to make up! When I, as chief minister, went to pay homage to Nedunchezhian (DMK stalwart who switched loyalties to the AIADMK), AIADMK members wielded broomsticks against us. Such is their culture.

• But would you appeal to her (Jayalalithaa)? Would you advise her that this is not the right thing. Would you appeal to her and say, ‘Let’s bring back some decency in our politics’?

There are several leaders here — Ramadoss (of the PMK), communist leaders, and even L. Ganesan of the BJP. Look how I treat them and how friendly they are to me. She is the only one (who is unfriendly). No, we cannot advise her.