Kamal Haasan Party Launch LIVE: No Space For New Party in Tamil Nadu, Says Cong's Veerappa Moily

With superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan having announced their political foray, News18 analyses the close-knit history behind Tamil Nadu's two biggest obsessions - films and politics.

As Kamal Haasan took the political plunge, several flags in white with Tamil Nadu map in black, sporting the tag line "Naalai Namadhe" meaning "Tomorrow is Ours" were seen flying in Rameswaram. Bharatiya Janata Party's Tamil Nadu unit leader Tamilisai Soundararajan told reporters that Kamal appeared to have "started a political party to compete against someone". She said while anyone can float a political party, Tamil Nadu is not in a situation where only Kamal can save it. On the other hand, Dalit party leader Thol. Thirumavalan told reporters that Kamal and Rajinikanth are agents of the BJP to affect DMK in Tamil Nadu. DMK Working President MK Stalin appeared to take a dig at film personalities taking a plunge into politics saying paper flowers which do not have fragrance will bloom during a season but they will wither very soon.

Referring to the lyrics of a song from one of his films, Kamal Haasan said he was prepared to learn if he had to do so "by breaking barriers". Asked what difference he saw between his avatars as an actor and that as a politician, he said the former has a bit of "barter system" in it. "Cinema is a medium to connect with people and so is politics. But there is more responsibility as a politician. It was like barter system-there (in cinema) — their (people's) money for my talent. But there is no such thing here (in politics)," he said. On being hailed by his fans and supporters as 'Nammavar' (our man) ahead of his political plunge, Haasan said it amounts to people "owning me up as their man."

Actor Kamal Haasan said there was "no politics" involved in his visit to the late APJ Abdul Kalam's residence, or his proposed one to a school, which did not fructify as the administration denied him the permission, where the former president had studied. Haasan seemed unperturbed by the denial of the permission to visit the school, saying "nobody can stop me from learning." He hailed Kalam for his patriotism and other qualities, "Kalam is an important person for me...I was attracted by his patriotism and aspirations… There is no politics in the visit to his house," he told a press conference here. "There was no politics in the school visit also. They can stop me from going to school but not from learning."

With the announcement of his plans on Wednesday to thousands of fans and VIPs, including Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party founder Arvind Kejriwal, Nammavar is emerging onto the political scene at an unprecedented nadir of partisan bickering and crumbling governance.

"Unless they (Kamal Haasan's party) have a regional agenda of their own which is better than DMK and AIADMK, what space they will occupy? He (Kamal Haasan) must have thought AIADMK will collapse, and he can occupy that space, I don't think that is happening," former Karnataka Chief Minister M Veerappa Moily said. He said, the Congress will be "very strongly" with DMK in Tamil Nadu, adding his party would continue to strive to strengthen its base in the state, even while aligning with the DMK for the present.

Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily today said that veteran actor Kamal Haasan's party in Tamil Nadu does not have much political space to grow and sees its prospects on its own steam "very marginal". The former Union Minister, who had served as Congress in-charge of the southern state many years ago, said DMK and AIADMK are dominant regional political parties in the state, where superstar Rajinikanth has also announced plans to float his own outfit. "So, I don't think there will be much (political) space left for other regional parties, unless they align with these mainstream regional parties (DMK and AIADMK)," Moily told PTI. "I think the prospects for Kamal Haasan's party is very marginal. I don't think there is much space left by these two dominant regional forces".

Kamal Haasan today cancelled his proposed visit to an elementary school here where former president APJ Abdul Kalam studied after education authorities denied him permission. Haasan had planned to address the students of the school at 8 AM. However, the Mandapam Assistant Elementary Education Officer denied permission on the ground that if Politicians were allowed to talk to the school children, it would create confusion among the students, official sources said. Besides, the Hindu Munnani leaders objected to the proposed visit of the actor to the government school. Ramanathapuram District Hindu Munnani Secretary Ramamurthy had in a letter to the District Collector urged him not to permit Haasan to visit the school. The actor, however, seemed unperturbed by the denial of permission to visit the school. "There was no politics in the school visit... They can stop me from going to school but not from learning," he said later

"I don't see too many differences between films and politics. Both of them need the support of people just about equally, but the responsibility in politics is a lot bigger. Whatever money I have is the money of the public," said Kamal Haasan in Rameswaram. It is being reported that Kamal Haasan chose to launch his party on February 21 as it is International Mother Language Day. Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin took to Twitter and said, "A day where another superstar actor from TN launches his political party this evening. The political landscape is set for a massive change?"

A day where another superstar actor from TN launches his political party this evening. The political landscape is set for a massive change? #KamalHaasan

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) February 21, 2018

Addressing the media, Kamal Haasan said, "My political journey begins. Serving people is my priority. I live in people's hearts." He added that APJ Abdul Kalam was an inspiration.

"Kamal is an actor par excellence. He has now taken our problems into his hands. The Centre is not taking notice of us. The Sri Lankan navy has been capturing our fishing boats. He (Kamal) is curious and concerned about us. He is our "fisher-friend". It has come to a situation where we can't go and fish. If caught, we get two years in jail and pay a fine of up to Rs 2 crore. Such a thing will never exist in any democratic country in the world. Our livelihood is being taken away from us. Many years they've been telling us they'll do something. We begged Sushma Swaraj to solve our problem. Her only solution was don't go to international waters and fish there. Kamal Haasan is our lifeboat. I hope he can help us. We don't belong to any political party, we are just fisherfolk," said a fisherman at the press meet in Rameswaram.

Actor Kamal Haasan speaking to the media, along with fishermen, in Rameswaram. "He is an actor par excellence. He has taken our problems in his hands. He is curious and concerned about us. He is our fisher-friend," says a fishermen community leader.

#LIVE -- @ikamalhaasan briefs media in Rameswaram. #NetaKamal

Get all the #LIVE updates here: https://t.co/eUvGFERp8I pic.twitter.com/Q6qbi0m4nr

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 21, 2018

#NetaKamal -- @ikamalhaasan is actor par excellence. He has taken our problems in his hands. Haasan is curious, concerned about us; He is our 'fisher-friend': Fisherman

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/qzXjpErzpj pic.twitter.com/ILc9Pi7nOA

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 21, 2018

#NetaKamal -- @ikamalhaasan has come to us as a rescue lifeboat: Fisherman

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/qzXjpErzpj pic.twitter.com/t41eTIDz03

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 21, 2018

#NetaKamal -- I don't want this practice of shawls to be bestowed on me. I am your shawl, I am your protection: @ikamalhaasan

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/VxKNtA0j5o pic.twitter.com/D2HIbSVsyt

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 21, 2018

"Thank you for coming here and encouraging me. My best friends (people from the fishermen community) are here on stage with me. I will come back and with all of you, one-on-one. I didn't come here to ask them to join me, I want to join them," says Kamal Haasan, addressing the media alongwith fishermen. A community leader says, "Our livelihood is being taken from us. Our boats are being captured by Sri Lanka's Navy. Politicians have for long been assuring us that they will solve our problems but to no avail. Kamal Haasan is a friend of the fishermen community. He has come to us like a rescue boat and he has promised to take up our cause. We thank him. We are not affiliated to any political party, we are just hopeful of his help."

All the best to Kamal Haasan, who has finally taken the plunge into Tamil Nadu politics. No doubt he is doing it with the intention of improving public life in the state, which desperately needs something far better than what DMK, ADMK, Congress and BJP have to offer. He will need expert advice on policy,” tweets activist and co-founder of Swaraj Abhiyan, Prashant Bhushan.

Visuals of Kamal Haasan meeting former President APJ Abdul Kalam's family members in Rameswaram:

#BREAKING -- Ahead of the party launch, @ikamalhaasan meets Former President APJ Abdul Kalam's brother | @nimumurali with more details #NetaKamal pic.twitter.com/dehDJVy0ry

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 21, 2018

[IN PICS] @ikamalhaasan has started his political journey from former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's residence in Rameswaram. #NetaKamal

Get all the #LIVE updates from the big day here: https://t.co/eUvGFERp8I pic.twitter.com/EMa8mBKBM3

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 21, 2018

Visuals of Kamal Haasan interacting with the fishermen community in Rameswaram. "I will be there for you. There is a need to rediscuss international treaties as your questions cannot be answered with violence," the actor said.

#TamilNadu: Kamal Haasan interacts with fishermen community in Rameswaram pic.twitter.com/5nLDfVmvTK

— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2018

"I will be there, will support the community. There is a need to rediscuss international treaties. Your questions cannot be answered with violence. Different governments have made different promises and then when people ask why the promises were not met, they bring other problems in front of them," says Kamal Haasan as he addresses fishermen in Rameswaram.

Posters plastered across the streets of Madurai and Rameswaram show actor Kamal Haasan emulating iconic leaders including former president of India APJ Abdul Kalam, say reports. Haasan is shown next to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, and other iconic leaders including rationalist leader Periyar and BR Ambedkar. The report further states Haasan is shown as the second Kalam in some posters. 

"Greatness can come from simple beginnings. Actually, it will come only from simplicity. Glad to start my journey from a great man’s simple abode," tweets Kamal Haasan. Sheik Dawood, Abdul Kalam's grandson says the actor talked to them about wanting to do 'development' politics.

Greatness can come from simple beginnings. Actually it will come only from simplicity. Glad to start my journey from a great man’s simple abode. #maiam

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) February 21, 2018

Hours before launching his political party, Kamal Haasan visited the residence of former President APJ Abdul Kalam and interacted with his family members. Haasan visited Kalam House at Rameswaram in the district and was warmly received by the family members of the former President. The actor briefly interacted with Kalam's nonagenarian brother Mohammed Muthumeera Lebbai Maraikkayar while being flanked by other close relatives of the former President. The actor tweaked his schedule for the day, cancelling his visit to a school, after the local administration reportedly denied him permission to visit it.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Kamal Haasan welcomed people to attend his party launch to "create a new era". "I am going to explain (about my) new party and the gist of our policies... Please come, to create a new era," he said. "Our long journey is starting. I am going to hoist our party flag at 6 PM at Othakadai grounds in Madurai," he added.

Kamal Haasan is expected to address the fishermen after visiting Abdul Kalam's house and getting blessings from the late leader's elder brother. Haasan would also visit the memorial of Kalam here, his fans’ association sources said. Later, he would leave for Madurai and address public meetings in Ramanathapuram, Manamadurai and Paramakudi, his home town. While announcing his political tour last month, the actor had said he too shared the vision of Kalam who dreamt of a "good Tamil Nadu". By launching his tour from the residence of Kalam, he would be moving forward towards that goal, he had said.

Rajini and Kamal, the two actor-turned-politicians in a very different era may or may not succeed at the political box office but at least for injecting civility into the political ecosystem of Tamil Nadu, they need to be commended.

Ever since his he announced his decision to enter politics, Kamal Haasan has shown immense disdain for right-wing politics. He has made it clear that he is not here to follow caste-based politics nor will is he interested in any ‘spiritual’ politics like Rajinikanth. The actor has long conveyed his ideologies through the films that he has acted in and that is the expected lines on which he would also be taking the political plunge.

With two of the state’s biggest stars deciding to enter politics around the same time, comparisons between the two are bound to happen. “If I had to choose between Rajini and Kamal, I would go with the latter as he seems to know what it takes to be a good administrator. He is intelligent, outspoken and his statements on fighting corruption are a welcome change,” said a Rameswaram-based auto driver.

By the looks of it, Haasan wants the event to be a low-key affair as there are hardly any banners, posters of the actor in Ramanathapuram or Madurai. The fans, though, had assembled in huge numbers at Madurai airport on Tuesday to welcome their 'thalaivar'. His supporters raised slogans like "Hail Varungala Muthalvere (Hail Future Chief Minister)”, “Hail Kamal Haasan" as he arrived at his native Ramanathapuram district in southern Tamil Nadu. The 62-year old actor greeted the gathering outside the hotel where he was staying and said he would speak about everything on his political journey on Wednesday.

With his stance clear against right-wing ideology, Haasan has not invited the BJP. Even Tamil Nadu’s ruling party, AIADMK, whose "corrupt ways" forced the actor to enter politics were ignored. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will be in attendance while Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has sent a video message, which will be played on the screens at the event, to congratulate and welcome the actor.

Kamal Haasan has in the last four days met leaders from various parties including the DMK, CPI(M), Naam Tamilar Katchi and the DMDK. The highlight, though, was him meeting his friend and political, cinema counterpart – Rajinikanth. Haasan even invited the fellow superstar to the launch of his new party. Both actors have categorically maintained that they would not be joining hands in their new avatars.

Superstar Kamal Haasan is all set to launch his party on Wednesday after months of planning and working on the finer details. The actor kickstarted his rally from former President APJ Abdul Kalam’s residence in Rameswaram, where he met the former President's family members. The actor's tour will stop at 12 locations and will include four public meetings, while finally concluding with the party flag being hoisted around 6 pm in Madurai.