Actor-politician Kamal Haasan said discussions for his party Makkal Needhi Maiam’s (MNM) potential political alliances are on, and he would support any bloc prioritising national interests over “feudal politics.”
When asked about joining the multi-party opposition INDIA bloc, he reiterated his stance on prioritising national welfare over party affiliations.
“This is the time when you have to blur party politics and think about the nation. Anybody who thinks selflessly about the nation, my MNM will be part of it. However, MNM won”t join hands with those doing local feudal politics,” he told reporters.
So has he joined the INDIA bloc, he said, “No, I haven”t.”
Amid speculation concerning talks between Haasan”s party and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin-led DMK for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the superstar had on Monday hinted at an alliance announcement within two days.
In September last year, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin had hinted at the possibility of an alliance between DMK and MNM for the upcoming elections. Haasan founded MNM, which translates to “People”s Justice Centre” in English, in 2018 but faced electoral setbacks in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Despite this, the party supported the ruling DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance candidate in the Erode bypolls.
While walking along Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in December 2022, Haasan emphasized his commitment to a united India.
“If I had this much sense of politics in the 1970s and there was Emergency, I would have walked the streets of Delhi. Please do not mistake this (my joining the Bharat Jodo Yatra) as my leaning towards a party; This was for a united India,” Haasan said.
In February 2023, Haasan, addressing speculation about an alliance with the DMK, he addressed Stalin as a friend and said, “Can’t say about the alliance now, we have to move scene by scene and not go to climax now. Scene by scene should carry the story.”
The Tamil superstar is expected to contest the Lok Sabha polls either from Coimbatore south or Chennai. Coimbatore is currently represented by CPI-M, while Chennai North, South and Central seats are with the DMK.
