`As commissioner, Natraj misused his authority'

Former deputy mayor of Chennai `Karate' R Thiagarajan, a long-time Congressman from the P Chidam baram faction, is up against his one time nemesis, former Chennai police commissioner R Natraj, in Mylapore constituency. Thiagarajan, president of the Karate Association of India, says he will make a better MLA than Natraj, who, he alleges, “misused his authority as commissioner“.
There was speculation that Congress would allot the Mylapore seat to actor Khushbu who was backed by state Congress chief EVKS Elangovan.Did you request the Mylapore seat?
It is the party's decision. The party high command takes these decisions based on seniority and who has better chances of winning. I am the South Madras district president. I have been in this area for 30 years. I know every nook and corner of Mylapore.
What are your chances against your rival in Mylapore, former DGP Natraj?
Even during the recent floods, Natraj did not work in the area. He was indirectly responsible for the deaths of 42 people in a stampede in MGR Nagar in 2006, as police failed to build proper barricades. When I had problems with the AIADMK in 2005, he was police commissioner. There wasn't a single case against me. Former TN advocate general N R Chandran confirmed that.Yet Natraj sent two teams to Delhi to file false cases against me. As a commissioner he misused his authority , how can he be a guardian for the public? Because of his witch-hunting I was not able to attend my mother's funeral in December that year. I think, in his lifetime, he would have put many behind bars, but 90% would have been acquitted.
You were expelled from the Congress in 2011...
I am basically a Congressman. The socalled expulsion by [former TNCC president] K V Thangabalu was not valid. In 2013, [former TNCC president] B S Gnanadesikan said Thangabalu's announcement regarding my expulsion was not valid.
There was a lot of controversy surrounding the karate association you formed and allegations that you misappropriated funds.
There is no truth to the allegations. There was one case filed in Jaipur when we broke away from All India Karate Federation and formed Ka rate Association of India.
Local investigators looked into the case and it was closed. closed.
You are considered close to Chidambaram's family. What are your views on the corruption charges against Karti Chidambaram?
Karti has already given detailed statements on this. He has submitted all records to the IT department. Anyone can make allegations. Every time Parliament is in session, rivals make allegations to stall proceedings
How do you plan to solve the main civic issues in your constituency?
The traffic bottleneck at Sathya Studio has to be cleared. We will try and widen the road. We will try to move the corporation garbage transfer station at Hamilton Bridge, which is having a negative impact on the health of residents. We will improve the living conditions of fishing communities.