Kamal Haasan launches 'Makkal Needhi Maiam' UPDATES | Neither left nor right, corruption eradication and education to all is party's ideology

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan started his political journey at Rameswaram on Wednesday. In the evening, he announced the name of his political party and launched the flag at a public meeting held at Othakadai, Madurai. 'Makkal Needhi Maiam', interestingly, means a 'forum' (and not party) that seeks justice for people.

READ HERE More like a seed, retorts Kamal Haasan after DMK leader Stalin’s paper flower jibe

HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS:

9:00 pm - Six hands in the symbol represent six states, star in the middle represents the people, Kamal said. Clarifying on his leaning, he said 'Maiam' means centre, and neither left nor right.

8:48 pm - Kamal Haasan thanked Arvind Kejriwal for his presence and said past experiences is not to be forgotten.

8:25 pm - Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses the gathering. Calls upon the people of Tamil Nadu to follow the path of Delhites in rejecting the big parties. "Delhi is witnessing revolution today in every single sector. I can see the people of TN are ready to throw out DMK and AIADMK, and bring Mr Kamal Haasan to power."

People of Delhi rejected both BJP and Congress and gave us 67 seats, the kind of response I am seeing here I am sure people of Tamil Nadu will break record of people of Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal in Madurai #KamalPartyLaunch #MakkalNeethiMaiyam pic.twitter.com/BtTev10ajb

— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2018

8:15 pm - Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's pre-recorded message was displayed on the LED screen.

#Madurai: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan congratulates Kamal Haasan via pre-recorded message on his party launch. #KamalPartyLaunch pic.twitter.com/rqycS6Iz4f

— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2018

7:50 pm - Names of party workers and coordinators are being called out at the event. Kamal is seen hugging and greeting them. No shawls are being presented to the star. He has asked for all offerings to be given out at orphanages. Ordinary chairs are being used at the event.

7:35 pm - He said, "Make this noise once I announce the name. The name of the party is Makkal Needhi Maiyam. This is not a one day thing. This is a long term goal."

He added, "You must be an example to the present day political system and I will be seeking your suggestion rather than giving you speeches." (ANI)

7:30 pm - The actor announced the name of his party as 'Makkal Needhi Maiyam' (forum for justice for the people). He also unfurled his party's flag, which has six hands - three in red and three in white - joined together around a star on a white background.

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. #maiam #makkalneedhimaiam
official website: https://t.co/cql8kgqGkk
fb: https://t.co/2Gz1xRg5vf
twitter: https://t.co/J9ywXrunOb pic.twitter.com/Xza62w4DcC

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) February 21, 2018

7:20 pm - Kamal with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Madurai

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and AAP Tamil Nadu incharge Somnath Bharti at the launch of Kamal Haasan's political party in Madurai. #KamalPartyLaunch pic.twitter.com/i5U9OFHnMq

— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2018

• Watch Kamal Haasan's press conference in Rameswaram.

• Kamal Haasan said there was "no politics" involved in his visit to the late APJ Abdul Kalam's residence here today, or his proposed one to a school, which did not fructify as the administration denied him the permission, where the former president had studied.

• Kamal Haasan's fans are carrying out the works of setting up the stage with a huge LED screen and have also set up a flagpole on the ground. Starting from Othakadai there are flags on either side of the road with the map of Tamil Nadu in black colour with a slogan 'Naalai Namadhe'. Meanwhile, two parts of the LED screen on the stage collapsed due to the wind, however, the process of fixing the screen back is underway. (Read more)

• Kamal Haasan says reception from the people are overwhelming and from this day onwards he will be a member of every household in the State. He is also ready to take ideas from all good ideologies of other parties whichever deems fits the welfare of the common people. (Read more)

  Kamal Haasan visits Kalam Memorial in Ramanathapuram in #TamilNadu. pic.twitter.com/nWOOgexDPj

  — ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2018

• After a brief interaction with fishermen community in Rameswaram, Kamal Haasan meets the press. Fishermen association leaders share the stage with Kamal Haasan and the actor says that he has come to join with them. Fishermen associations welcome Kamal's political entry. 

• Kamal Haasan interacts with fishermen community in Rameswaram. Interaction is a short one as the actor has to continue with the roadshow. Says he will meet them again soon and next time it will be a longer interaction and they can provide him with suggestions.

• Kamal Haasan takes political plunge from A P J Abdul Kalam's home in Rameswaram (Read more)

• Kamal Haasan visits APJ Abdul Kalam's residence in Rameswaram and interacts with the former president's nonagenarian brother Mohammed Muthumeera Lebbai Maraikkayar and other family members. The actor's scheduled visit to the school where Kalam studied has been cancelled after 

• Actor Kamal Haasan, who is launching his political party today evening, has a packed schedule with a visit to former President and Scientist APJ Abdul Kalam's residence in Rameswaram followed by a roadshow from Rameswaram to Madurai where he will announce the name of the Party and reveal other details.

• Kamal posted this message on his official Facebook page on the day of the launch.

On January 18, Kamal announced that he would launch his own political party on February 21. He then said that his party would have a Dravidian appeal and that he would be starting his political journey at the birthplace of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, at Rameswaram. Kamal describes his political journey as a journey of discovery, a journey to understand people’s needs and aspirations.

On Tuesday, Kamal Haasan came to Madurai airport on his way to Rameswaram. He was welcomed by his fans with Tharai Thappattai music. When asked why he had chosen Madurai for the debut, Kamal said, “Yaadhum Oore, Yaavarum Kelir (Every place is my hometown and everybody is my family).”