Media and politicians depend on each other, especially in the era of round-the-clock news. The writer notes that many North Indian leaders are generally accessible to journalists, unlike several in Tamil Nadu who are harder to reach.
As an example, the late Congress veteran and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Arjun Singh is described as unusually open with reporters. He would switch on his tape recorder before meetings, leaving little room for “off the record” conversations, and reportedly archived recordings by date at his home.
The article then turns to the writer’s experiences in Delhi with Tamil Nadu leaders, beginning with former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Her visits, it says, would draw heavy security and intense political attention, while journalists often had limited access and had to rely on MPs or official notes for details.
In one incident after a Planning Commission meeting where Jayalalithaa answered questions in English, the writer asked if she could respond in Tamil for Tamil audiences. She paused, turned back, and quipped that if the reporter wanted a Tamil interview, they should get transferred to Chennai.
The piece is presented as a personal recollection on political communication and the practical challenges reporters face while seeking direct quotes from high-profile leaders.
