This is the first time that Kamal Haasan is supporting the candidate of any other party. (file photo)
Chennai:
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan, founder of the Makkal Needhi Maiam party, today offered unconditional support to the Congress candidate for the Erode East assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu. He also hinted that the new move could see him join the DMK-led alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Asked whether the move was a change in his strategy, given that he has been critical of the ruling DMK and the Congress, Kamal Haasan told NDTV, “There is no such thing as compromise when it comes to people. I am a centrist. Ideology needs.” It is not an obstacle in the service of the people”.
The MNM leader was recently seen marching with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Delhi, following which there was talk about Kamal Haasan parting ways with the Congress.
The actor-politician had then told reporters, “It is our responsibility to recover the lost ethos of our India. It (Jodo Bharat Abhiyan) is a journey that is beyond politics.”
In an apparent reference to the BJP, the MNM founder said the Erode election was a “moment of national importance” for the common cause of joining hands against “communal forces”. “I hate monoculture. My fight starts here in a small field and will spread nationally”.
This is the first time the actor-politician is supporting a candidate of another party in the elections as the MNM went it alone in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and 2021 state assembly polls.
Kamal Haasan launched MNM in 2018 promising to fight against corruption, dynastic politics besides rural empowerment.
The Erode East assembly constituency had fallen vacant following the death of Congress MLA Thirumahan Evra following an illness. The Congress has fielded Thirumahan’s father, veteran leader EVKS Elangovan, who sought Kamal Haasan’s support a few days ago. Elangovan is also the grandson of rationalist leader late Periyar.
Kamal Haasan’s support has come as a big boost for the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance to win the seat. The main opposition party, the AIADMK, has been rocked by internal fighting between party chief Edappadi Palanisamy and expelled leader O Panneerselvam, and both have said they will field their candidate for the election. The BJP had projected itself as a strong opposition, but the party suffered a setback after the EPS faction decided to contest the seat.
This is the first time the actor-politician is supporting a candidate of another party in the elections as the MNM went it alone in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and 2021 state assembly polls.
Kamal Haasan launched MNM in 2018 promising to fight against corruption, dynastic politics besides rural empowerment.
Kamal Haasan’s support has come as a big boost for the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance to win the seat. The main opposition party, the AIADMK, has been rocked by internal fighting between party chief Edappadi Palanisamy and expelled leader O Panneerselvam, and both have said they will field their candidate for the election. The BJP had projected itself as a strong opposition, but the party suffered a setback after the EPS faction decided to contest the seat.
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