Modi switching to capitalist economy: DMK

Chennai, Nov 30: Taking a swipe at the economic policy of the Narendra Modi government, DMK leader M K Stalin on Sunday said the country is moving away from a mixed to a capitalist economy with corporate honchos appearing set to get a "bonanza of sorts" and the poor a "pittance".

"It appears that the path towards capitalist economy is being refurbished, switching from a mixed economy under the Modi government," DMK Treasurer and former Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Stalin told PTI in an interview.

"We see indications of the poor being handed out a pittance and corporate honchos and huge investors appearing all set to receive a bonanza of sorts," he said answering a question on his assessment of Modi government.

"In six months since Modi assumed office, he has spoken a lot, and so many announcements have been made," he said adding the mark of the RSS like "Hindu Rashtra and Sanskrit," have also begun to rear its head.

Asked if a generational change can be expected in the DMK similar to BJP which worked in Saffron party's favour, he said, "it is not possible to categorically say if Modi's success is due to a generational change, a jump over and above generations or a generational gap."

In DMK, Stalin's father Karunanidhi continues to be the party president though Stalin is the next in command.

"As regards DMK, past, present and future generations join hands and work towards the goal unitedly," he said indicating that Karunanidhi will continue to lead the party.

"I don't think the BJP's formula (of a generational change) will work in Tamil Nadu," he said. Asked about the chances of the return of those who had either quit or were expelled from DMK, he said, "The party is always ready to embrace those who repent."

"All those who had quit or expelled were part of a huge family that is the DMK."

While Stalin's elder brother and former Union Minister M K Alagiri, and his supporters were expelled from the party in January this year, actress Kushboo quit the party in June and joined the Congress a few days ago.

On the possibility of an alliance with national parties like the BJP and Congress in the 2016 Assembly elections, Stalin said, "It is not possible to say that now, it is too early, the time is yet to ripen."

Asked if he would single-handedly lead the poll campaign like Modi, he said, "This comparison does not seem to be appropriate and our campaign will be guided by our party president Karunanidhi."

Stalin, who virtually led the party's campaign in the Lok Sabha polls, in which it drew a blank, said the "strategies for the 2016 polls were being forumlated in a phased manner."

The 61-year-old leader, who is touring the state meeting DMK workers to strengthen the party ahead of polls, said "the partymen are in an upbeat mood." The DMK lost power in 2011 and could not even win a single seat in the Lok Sabha elections.

However, DMK continues to have a strong say in the political discourse in Tamil Nadu with the main opposition DMDK led by actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth nowhere in the picture.

Asked if it was possible to take on the might of the ruling AIADMK with opposition parties "fragmented," and the PMK desiring to lead a separate front, he said "it is true that opposition parties are separated."

"I believe a compulsion will arise to sew an alliance on the lines of one put together by Anna (former Chief Minister C N Annadurai) for the 1967 polls."

In a first, DMK founder Annadurai put together a rainbow alliance in 1967 by bringing all anti-Congress parties in one front. Left parties, Muslim League and Swatantra Party led by C Rajagopalachari, the first Indian Governor General of free India were all part of it.

DMK stormed to power and the alliance scored a huge success.

"A stage will come when opposition parties will look into the perceptible (political) probabilities," he said indicating that an alliance will shape up ahead of 2016 polls.

On his assessment of Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, he said, "he cannot escape sobriquets like a doll Chief Minister till such time he showed robustness in action."

PTI