Chandrahasan Illankovan (50), grandson of iconic Tamil politician and founder of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) late S.J.V. Chelvanayakam is contesting at the forthcoming Parliamentary polls in November from the Jaffna District. Illankovan studied at Colombo Royal College until grade 4. Later following the turbulent situation in the Island he had left to India and followed his higher studies at the Madras Christian College. Later he passed out as an advocate from the Madras Law College.
Q: How do you see your entry from the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) in the forthcoming Parliamentary Election?
A:Well, I have been engaged in civil life for the past thirty years. I made my contribution to the Public Representation Committee on Constitutional Affairs. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya was also a in the committee and later the committee submitted its report to the Constitutional Assembly. Later, following the request made by the late Tamil National Alliance(TNA) leader, R. Sampanthan in 2019 my entry in politics came up. He requested me to enter politics and I considered it high time to make myself available in the best interest of the Tamil-speaking people. Through a formal application I was elected Vice President of ITAK.
Q: For the past 75-years ITAK is a prominent Tamil political party with the majority of Tamil speaking people placing their confidence in the party. Nowadays, there are issues emerging within the party over its integrity. How do you see it?
A: There is nothing like that. ITAK remains as strong as ever and its support bases remain intact with a significant number of present day supporters placing their confidence in the party. Since the Northern and the Eastern Provinces suffered immensely due to civil strife for nearly forty decades, the democratic system was in a perilous state. However, it is encouraging to note that a significant number of political parties including more than 396 Independent candidates contesting at present from the Northern and the Eastern Provinces. Therefore, the democratic system now thrives in the North and the East and I am happy to be part of it representing ITAK in the forthcoming Parliamentary polls. We are looking forward to an inner party restoration in ITAK following the General election.
Q:What is your view on the newly formed Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) ?
A: Well since many people are involved in the party, there will be challenges over remaining as a single entity. Since the Tamil National Alliance’s context has now changed, new alliances could be expected. The ITAK of the future focuses on a broader alliance with the inclusion of the Muslims and people from the upcountry.
Q: A veteran ITAK politician recently said he resigned from the party’s leadership due to certain misunderstandings within the party. What is the real situation?
A: Of course Mavai Senathirajais a die-hard ITAK member and he played his part for the stability and integrity of the party immensely. He didn’t leave the party or keep away from his political activities. He urged the office bearers of the party to be more effective in their functions.
Q: What is your observation of ITAK candidates currently contesting in the Parliamentary polls?
A: Since the North and the East suffered immensely due to a lengthy conflict situation. The issues to be resolved in the two Provinces remain multifaceted. Apart from the political issues we have to think on the grounds of improving the socio, political and economic conditions of the people we represent. We cannot expect vehicles and other undue privileges to serve our people.
Q: How about the state of the Provincial Council system at present in the North and the East?
A: The Provincial Council system under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was introduced for greater devolution of power in the North and the East. ITAK’s stance is that the 13th Amendment should be fully implemented. The Amendment remains as a reconciliatory measure. So we have to improve it further and make it conducive to the Provincial Council system in the North and the East.
Q:When the warring conditions in the North and the East were severe, a large number of people affected by the war became refugees. Your father S.Chandrahasan launched the organisation named the Tamil Refugees Relief Organisation and popularly known as the TRRO. What is your comment on its functions?
A: The TRRO commenced following the communal disturbances in 1977 and in 1983.The intention of the TRRO was to help those who have affected by the North and East war. Education, shelter and other basic issues were looked into by the TRRO. At present there are 55,000 Lankan refugees living in various camps in India. Thirty five thousand (35,000) refugees are living outside the camps. A significant number of them have completed their higher studies and settled into married life. With the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka, a large number of people have returned to the country. Some of them while in India have even gone to other countries. Many of them have sought the Indian citizenry.
Q: How is the political scene in Tamil Nadu with regard to the Lankan Tamil issue?
A: Now the generation which was familiar with the Lankan Tamil issue and interacted closely is no more. But the sympathy and the support for the Sri Lankan Tamils still exist. A decline in the sympathetic view on the Sri Lankan refugees was experienced following the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. However, Tamil Nadu and India at large believe that the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution could create a meaningful settlement to the ethnic issue in the country.
Q: What is your message to the Tamil expatriates living in various countries?
A: Considering the plight of the people in the North and the East in the post-war scenario they must come forward to engage themselves constructively instead of taking any aggressive stance when addressing post-war grievances. An atmosphere of reconciliation should be strengthened both locally as well as internationally.
