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TN assembly election: Kamal Haasan is set to contest polls from Coimbatore South constituency in the April 6 Tamil Nadu assembly election

TN-Kamal_Haasan

Actor-turned politician Kamal Haasan is set to make his electoral debut, contesting from Coimbatore South constituency in the April 6 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. The Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president made the announcement in Chennai on Friday, while releasing the second list of his party’s candidates.

Also Read: AIADMK leader stated clearly that BJP must toe in as a second fiddle in TN polls or leave the alliance

The actor-turned-politician had earlier this week announced that MNM will contest on 154 out of 234 assembly seats. Haasan said that the party left the remaining 80 seats for its two alliance partners, All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) and Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi, that will contest on 40 seats each.

“The parties have committed to the common goal of transforming Tamil Nadu by fulfilling the long-pending aspirations of the people. With the common agenda of restoring the pride and glory of Tamil Nadu, they have decided to embark on a long-lasting journey together,” a document released by MNM read.

Confirming an electoral alliance with the MNM, AISMK’s Sarath Kumar had earlier said that Kamal Haasan will be its chief ministerial candidate.

“In principle, we have decided to journey together. Kamal Haasan will be the chief minister candidate for the emerging alliance,” Kumar had stated.

According to reports, Haasan had earlier announced that he will contest the assembly elections from a Chennai seat.

Kamal Haasan had, in February, said in a vision document that paying housewives for doing their job is an idea whose time has truly come. The vision document also said that prosperity to every Tamilian can be achieved on the back of an ‘enterprise economy’ that would generate jobs.

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Political situation in Tamil Nadu may lead to the formation of a third front, asserted Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan

On Sunday, Actor-politician Kamal Haasan said that there was a possibility of a third front being formed under his leadership for the coming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking on the occasion of his party Makkal Needhi Maiam’s fourth foundation day celebrations at a private college here, Haasan also hinted that he might consider an invite for an alliance with the DMK if it came directly from the top leadership.

“I think it (a third front) may form. Situation is getting conducive. Very soon it may happen”, he told reporters when asked whether there was a possibility of formation of a third front under his leadership in the state.

The ruling AIADMK-BJP and DMK-Congress led alliances have already launched campaigns for the polls likely in April-May with their respective leaders undertaking tours. On Sunday, MNM commenced issuing applications to aspirants for the party’s tickets for the polls, the first assembly elections in the state after the demise of AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi.

On alliance, he said that MNM did receive an invite for forming an alliance with the DMK, indicating an emissary had approached the party. “An invite did come, discussions took place; everybody were discussing (on their own) but nobody came directly to me (for forming an alliance). But, that (talking directly) is what counts to me. Sending an emissary does not count. We can only accept a question or an answer which comes directly from a party high command,” he added. Asked about his meeting with superstar Rajinikanth on Saturday, he said that it was a casual meet between two friends.

“It was a normal discussion. We exchanged greetings as friends since I met him after undergoing a surgery, after a long time”, he said. Asked whether he invited Rajinikanth to join MNM, he shot back saying, “He has (already) told that he will not take a political plunge citing his health. How can we invite then? It will not be a good gesture from a good friend”.

On whether his party would form an alliance with Aam Aadmi Party, he said that when Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took part in the first-year foundation day MNM in Madurai, he commenced his speech by seeking votes for the party. “It just remained at a hand-shake level at that time; those who are concerned about people’s welfare are always welcome to join”, he said.