Kamal Hassan has announced that his party Makkal Needhi Maiam is preparing to contest in all seats for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
He told reporters at the Chennai airport on Thursday, 7 February:
“Our aim is to not go with any tainted group. We are preparing to contest on all 40 seats (in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry). I cannot say at this moment from where I will contest.”
He has clarified that his party will not work in alliance with any other party, but has definitely been in conversation with several national and state parties.
In December 2018, Kamal Haasan had confirmed that his party was working on choosing candidates. “We won’t join hands with parties that are trying to change Tamil Nadu’s DNA,” he had said.
Ever critical of BJP, he said, “My colour is not saffron”. He has even accused the ruling party AIADMK of corruption and has been critical of the way they dealt with the anti-Sterlite protests in Tuticorin. In June 2018, he had called on Congress president Rahul Gandhi as well as UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Kamal Haasan has been touring different districts of Tamil Nadu in order to reach out to people and listen to their grievances.
Haasan announced his entry into politics in front of a huge audience in Madurai in February 2018. At this event, he said said:
“If you are happy and content in Tamil Nadu, then this video is not for you. If you believe the politics and governance of this country has no inherent problems, this video was not shot for you. Then you can go. Are you still here? Then you are on our side. What are you doing there? Come to the field.”
The name of the party Makkal Needhi Maiam translates to ‘Centre for People’s Justice’. The party’s symbol depicts six hands joined together, representing the five southern states – Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana – and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)