Kamal Haasan not to contest 2019 Lok Sabha polls

CHENNAI: Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan has chosen not to contest Lok Sabha elections 2019.

Kamal told the cadres at a public meeting in Coimbatore on Sunday that he was staying out of the elections to campaign for other candidates of the party. He also announced candidates for 18 Lok Sabha seats.

"Among the applications received from cadres for prospective candidates, there were many from various constituencies that had my name in it. So I consider all the 40 to be my constituencies,’’ he said.

Kamal said he was proud to carry the palanquin with his cadres in it. ``I will go across to all places carrying the palanquin and talk about the virtues of the candidates,’’ he said.

Since the meeting was organised in Coimbatore, there was an expectation among a section of cadres that he would take the electoral plunge from Coimbatore. He, however, put an end to the speculations. ``I would be working towards achieving my goal. The candidates are my pillars and foundation in my mission,’’ he said. Instead, he fielded party’s vice president Mahendran. In Pollachi, MNM has fielded Mookambigai Rathinam, an activist.

Kamal also released the manifesto of MNM at the event. Kamal promised to bring coalition government in Tamil Nadu and that Tamil would be made the official language.

The manifesto touched upon several issues including generation, women empowerment, revival of farming. Kamal said if MNM comes to power, the party would work for providing 50 per cent job reservation for women.

Batting for Supreme Court benches across the country, the manifesto said that fast track and mobile courts would be set up to hear cases of women harassment. "Cauvery delta would be declared as a protected agri zones,’’ he said. MNM also promised door delivery of ration commodities and free wifi in public spaces.