Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Sunday announced that he would not contest the ensuing Parliamentary elections and Assembly bypolls.
MNM president Kamal Haasan walks to the stage during the public meeting in Coimbatore on Sunday
Coimbatore:
Kamal, who criticised both the BJP and the Congress, took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that he was a chowkidar (security guard) for the rich.
He slammed the AIADMK and the DMK for having forged an alliance with the BJP and the Congress respectively forgetting their differences.
Stating that both the Dravidian parties make umpteen poll promises despite knowing very well that they could not implement them, Kamal said, “Even if people don’t ask, my party’s voice will be heard both in the Parliament and State Assembly.” Kamal also touched upon various issues like NEET, plight of Sri Lankan Tamils, demonetisation, Thoothukudi firing, unemployment, closure of industries, corruption and Pollachi sex scandal.
He also released the party’s second list of contestants for the remaining 19 Lok Sabha seats, having revealed the names for 21 constituencies last week.
Kamal’s meeting with doctors cut short
The election commission officials, who reached the spot, insisted on ending the session as it was convened without prior permission.
Subsequently, Kamal cancelled the programme midway. The EC officials are mulling registering a case over the issue.
Speaking at a public meeting in Coimbatore, the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president said, “I have decided not to contest, but will be the face of my party’s contestants. People should lend their support by assuming that I am contesting in all the constituencies,” he said.
Kamal, who criticised both the BJP and the Congress, took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that he was a chowkidar (security guard) for the rich.
He slammed the AIADMK and the DMK for having forged an alliance with the BJP and the Congress respectively forgetting their differences.
Stating that both the Dravidian parties make umpteen poll promises despite knowing very well that they could not implement them, Kamal said, “Even if people don’t ask, my party’s voice will be heard both in the Parliament and State Assembly.” Kamal also touched upon various issues like NEET, plight of Sri Lankan Tamils, demonetisation, Thoothukudi firing, unemployment, closure of industries, corruption and Pollachi sex scandal.
He also released the party’s second list of contestants for the remaining 19 Lok Sabha seats, having revealed the names for 21 constituencies last week.
Kamal’s meeting with doctors cut short
Earlier in the day, Kamal was forced to stop an interactive session with around 50 doctors organised at a private school in Singnallur.
The election commission officials, who reached the spot, insisted on ending the session as it was convened without prior permission.
Subsequently, Kamal cancelled the programme midway. The EC officials are mulling registering a case over the issue.
Decision invokes criticism on social media
Amid expectations that Kamal Haasan might enter the fray in either Ramanathapuram or South Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, his decision to opt out has left his supporters disappointed, even as a section of people criticised him on social media.
An executive committee member of the MNM told DT Next that the actor, who was keen to contest, was asked by the committee not to contest the Lok Sabha polls but to campaign for the candidates instead. “The party leaders felt that Kamal should contest the Assembly elections instead,” he said.
However, Kamal’s announcement invited criticism from several people on Twitter. His decision drew a comparison with his cinema contemporary Rajinikanth, who has been delaying his electoral plunge.
“#KamalHaasan has accepted defeat before elections by not contesting in #Elections2019. Had he contested not only he would have had a chance of winning his seat, but his candidates could have also got more votes. He has made a political blunder,” Vamsi Chandran tweeted.
Political commentator Sumanth Raman tweeted: “If @ikamalhaasan wanted to emerge as a leader he could have led from the front and contested the polls. Many leaders have come up after several defeats. He could have stood in South Chennai and garnered a decent number of votes. Opting out must be disappointing for his cadre.”
Focus on agri, jobs in manifesto
Making a strong pitch to voters ahead of the April 18 polls, Kamal Haasan released his party’s manifesto in Coimbatore on Sunday. In one of the most significant poll promises, Kamal said the MNM would strive to ensure that the Governor is chosen by the State’s elected MLAs. The actor-politician said that tap water would be provided to every household to end the practice of purchasing packaged drinking water. Tackling the issue of unemployment among youth, Kamal said, “We will create 50 lakh jobs within five years.
We will also open 500 skill development centres.” Stating that his party would take initiatives to wipe out poverty in TN and ensure a slum-free State, Kamal said, “Progressive policies will be ideated and implemented for a brisk GDP growth by promoting agriculture and manufacturing sector. Women workers would get wages on par with men in all sectors, including agriculture.” He also said secured & integrated agricultural zones (SIZA) would be set up across TN.