'Politicians need not be corrupt at all'

I studied in a Malayalam medium school in Manimala, a village that did not have electricity. I scored only 42 per cent in my final exam.

From then on, I decided that I was going to change the world. After that, I became a topper everywhere. I taught myself English and I taught myself everything.

I was a topper at the IAS examination. I had decided then that I would be an officer with a backbone, and I was one for 27 years.

The country is run by politicians as it is the political executive who takes the decisions. As an administrative officer, I could only implement them.

Did you feel helpless as an IAS officer?

No, I was very happy doing what I did. If there is a rebirth, I would like to be reborn as an IAS officer!

I converted my constituency -- Kanjirapalli -- into a model constituency for the country. The finance minister said in the assembly that if all MLAs worked like that, there would a miracle happening in Kerala.

How did you manage that?

I came with a complete model to be a model politician. People spend a lot of money, supply liquor and abuse their rivals. But I have not done either of the three.

Yet I won on the 32nd day after my resignation from the IAS with the largest majority.

Was it because of your image that you could win?

Yes, but it was my image as the Kottayam collector. That is where I began my work on literacy. Remember I was the collector 20 years back! But they still remembered what I did then. It basically means good work is remembered always.

Of course, my demolition work in Delhi had an impact. The fact that I fought the system to set things right had an impact.

It basically proves that politics can be clean, doesn't it?

In the last five years, I haven't taken a rupee from anybody. Even though I am from that area, I haven't had a meal with anybody.

Politicians need not be corrupt at all.

When you decided to plunge into politics, why did you decide to take the support of the Marxists?

It was they who asked me if I was willing to enter politics and be their candidate. It was their choice and not mine.

So joining politics itself was their choice?

Yes, they asked me. I was in a very powerful job then. They asked me if I was willing to stand as an Independent candidate with their backing.

In 1994, The Times of India did a poll when I was the Delhi Development Authority commissioner and they found that 89 per cent people backed me.

If I had stood in elections then, I would have won easily. Who gets 89 per cent of the people backing you?

Even a person like T N Seshan got only 69 per cent when a poll was done on him.

If you do a good job, people everywhere are willing to appreciate it.

Why do you want to move away from politics now?

I am not moving away from politics. I have done one tenure and did so successfully. I got Rs 350 crore (Rs 3.5 billion) into my constituency. I was out from 6 am to 10 pm in my constituency doing things.

We did everything in record time. It has become a model constituency.

I am 57 now. I feel I still have 10 more years left in me. According to me, India has much bigger problems than Kanjirapally had. It is a well off place, but in India, half the people are starving.

If I can bring food to every table in India, why don't I do that instead of changing the face of one constituency after another?

I don't have that much time. I am not a 30 year old; I am 57. I feel my knowledge and experience should be used across the country to bring about change.

How do you rate V S Achuthanandan as chief minister?

He is a fighter. He fought for causes, which he felt were right.

I have a difference of opinion here. Yes, people do like him.

The world today is ruled by young people. What is the advantage of being young? Young people can talk about change, they can talk about opportunities.

I feel it is time we move away from the older generation. I am of the opinion that nobody should be an MLA or MP for more than 10 years.

I think we must give opportunities to young people who can come up with new ideas. Then they will be able to make the country better.

Can you name any such young political leader in Kerala?

You have to bring them up, give them chances.

I have seen very bright young people in my constituency. I used to give such people a chance to function. I don't look at them as potential threats.

But if you look at the age of the leaders who are standing in the elections, it is 92, 87, 78, etc...

It is a shame. Look at some of the leaders who can't talk and can't walk, but want to contest the elections. It is a shame.

My question is not about VS or anybody else. I am talking about youth coming to power.

We have not allowed the young leadership to come up, and it is the same for the LDF (Left Democratic Front) and the UDF (United Democratic Front).

Why do Keralites have to go outside to work? Because they have no opportunities within the state. We don't have the leadership who is ready to create opportunities for them.

You take the case of the Smart City. It took ten years for it to get sanction. Not a brick has been laid there.

I have worked in many places. I think by and large governance in India is pathetic.

I was in Bihar for the elections. Nitishji (Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar) is doing a good job there. India has to dream bigger.

When Kerala itself has to grow, why do you think pan-India?

Kerala is a lot better than other states. Keralites are not starving. I don't see a single person starving here.

But in the rest of India, 50 per cent of people go to bed without a single meal a day. Half the children do not go to school.

India has much bigger problems than Kerala.

How much can you achieve?

I have always done it and I don't see any reason why I can't do it hereafter too.

Is there any truth in the reports that BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) President Nitin Gadkari contacted you?

Yes, he did. We had a long conversation over the phone. I am going to Delhi to meet him on March 24.

I want to be in national politics and want to work on one issue --development that reaches the people, not just the slogan.