Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has said that his party was ready to contest bypolls in Tamil Nadu whenever they are held. His comments came in sharp contrast to his earlier stand that his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam, will not contest by-elections even though it aims to take part in the next year’s Lok Sabha polls.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai on Wednesday, Haasan said, “Nobody knows whether the by-elections will be held. But we are ready to contest whenever they take place.” He, however, made it clear that he was not making any promises but, instead, seeking suggestions from people.
The bypolls in at least 20 assembly seats are imminent after 18 AIADMK MLAs were disqualified by the Madras High Court. These MLA, led by TTV Dhinakaran had split from the AIADMK. The other two seats fell vacant due to the death of DMK’s M Karunanidhi and AIADMK’s AK Bose.
TTV Dhinakaran had convincingly won the RK Nagar bypolls in December last year, when he defeated his rival by over 40,000 votes.
Kamal Haasan had launched a new political party called Makkal Needhi Maiam in February this year. Announcing the name of his political party, Haasan said on Twitter, “The newly founded MAKKAL NEEDHI MAIAM is your party. It’s here to stay, and to make the change we all aspire for. Guide us to serve you.”
He had said that his mission would be to create a corruption free state. He had said, “I will be seeking your suggestion rather than giving you speeches. I have shown you a morsel of the government I can cook for people here. The people who have gathered here are people who have enraged by the corruption prevalent in the state.”